Obituaries

Paul William “Smokey” Spencer, 82, died peacefully on February 28, 2012 at Boger City Rest Home in Lincolnton, NC, where he had been a resident for several years.  He was affectionately known as “PawPaw” by the kind staff who loved and cared for him.

Smokey was born in Kings Mountain, NC on February 18, 1930.  He lived all of his adult life in Lincolnton where he worked and retired with Roseland Textile Mills.

Smokey was a kind and gentle man who was best known for walking or riding a bicycle everywhere he went.  He estimated that he had ridden thousands of miles on several bicycles through the years.   He preferred “old fashioned” bicycles and would not have a ten-speed, although he was sometimes seen pushing his bike up the long hills.   The only other mode of transportation for him was walking.  

He was preceded in death by his mother, Ollie Cook Spencer; father, Daniel Spencer, sister, Mary Lee Spencer Powell; brother, James Russell Spencer, and half-brother Donald Spencer. 

He is survived by his sister, Geraldine Spencer Davis of Iron Station; half-brother, Charles Spencer of Maiden; half-sister, Muriel Spencer Paysour of Lincolnton; step-sister, Dorothy Spencer Payseur of Lincolnton; two step-brothers, L.J. Spencer of Lincolnton and Carroll Spencer of Maiden; and numerous nieces and nephews. 

Services will be held at Warlick Funeral Home in Lincolnton, NC.  The family will receive friends on Thursday, March 1, from 10:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. followed by a funeral service at 11:00 a.m. in the Chapel.  Rev. Tim Spencer will officiate at the services.  Burial will follow in the Crouse Baptist Church cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Lincoln County, 107 N. Cedar Street, Lincolnton, NC  28092.