Ms. Charlease Virginia Spencer

Captain Charlease Virginia Madison Spencer was born on July 26, 1948, in Summerton, South Carolina to the late Robert and Susie Mae Madison.  She departed this life on Wednesday, August 16, 2023 in Winnsboro, South Carolina.

Charlease was educated in the public schools of Clarendon County, South Carolina. She later attended Claflin University in Orangeburg, South Carolina where she became a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. 

After the Orangeburg Massacre, Charlease decided to serve her country and enlisted in the United States Army in June of 1969. She absolutely loved her career and flourished in it.  She completed seven stateside tours including: Fort Benjamin (Harrison, IN), Fort McClellan (Anniston, AL), Fort Hamilton (Brooklyn, NY), Fort Bragg (Fayetteville, NC), Fort Lee (Petersburg, VA), Fort Polk (Vernon Parish, LA), and Hawaii. She also completed 2 overseas tours in Germany and Camp Casey, Korea.  While in Hawaii, she received her Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration in 1981. She was also an accounting major for Shidler College of Business.  She became a phenomenal Finance Officer. Charlease retired as a captain in the US Army in 1989 and she continued her career in various leadership roles and prepared taxes.

Charlease had ultimate love for her family and friends.  She was the “helicopter” mother to all. Her legacy is inspiring to all and will live on.

Charlease leaves to cherish in her memories  her three children, Karren Spencer, Kevin Spencer and Jerard Spencer; two grandchildren, Joi Spencer and Kason Spencer; two sisters, Yvonne Burgess and Susan Madison; three nieces, Benita Burgess, Tangie Burgess and Barbara Brunson; one nephew, Bernard “Pookie” Burgess; five goddaughters, Ava Milliner, Tiffany Miller, Kourtney Simon, Kameron Bookert and Tymira Bookert; one godson,  Robert Miller; one aunt, Sarah Epps; and a host of other loving relatives and friends.