James William "Jimmy" Spence, Sr.

James William “Jimmy” Spence, Sr., 86 of Bushwood, Maryland, passed away peacefully on June 29,2025 in Leonardtown, Maryland surrounded by his loving family. Jimmy was born on June 14,1939, at Ioka Farm in Ellicott City, MD. He was the oldest son of the late George William Spence, Jr. and the late Frances Cecelia Lord Spence. Jimmy is predeceased by his wife Eleanor Joyce Spence, whom he married at Holy Angels Church in Avenue, MD, on November 28, 1959. They celebrated over 64 years of marriage prior to her passing on October 28, 2024. He is also predeceased by his sister Margaret Elizabeth “Peggy” Guy (Jackie, deceased). He is survived by his three sons, James William “Jay” Spence, Jr. of Bushwood, MD, Jon Robert Spence (Jessica) of Chaptico, MD, and Jerel Hodges “Jerry” Spence of Bushwood, MD. Jimmy is also survived by his grandchildren, Jacob William Spence and Jenna Renee Spence, both of Chaptico, MD. He is survived by his siblings, Robert Henry “Harry” Spence (Maxine, deceased), Alan Thomas Spence (Jackie), and by many nieces, nephews and cousins. Jimmy lived in Ellicott City, MD until the summer of 1946, when his family moved to Scotland, MD. The family later moved to St. Inigoes, MD and then to Budds Creek, MD in 1950. He graduated from Margeret Brent High School in 1957. He and his wife moved to Suitland, MD in 1959 and Jimmy worked briefly for the FBI. In 1960, he and his wife returned to St. Mary’s County. After serving in the National Guard, he worked for Peoples Life Insurance Company and in later years, he worked for the State of Maryland, retiring as the Supervisor of Assessments and Taxation for St. Mary’s County in 2003. Jimmy played several sports while in high school. His love for baseball led him to play for the Old Gum baseball team. He was a Baltimore Orioles and a Baltimore Colts fan. He enjoyed listening to classic country and bluegrass music. Jimmy enjoyed working with horses from an early age, and in later years he raised Appaloosa horses, and he enjoyed participating in horse shows. As his family grew, he gave up his hobbies to focus on raising his children and providing them with a Catholic education. He dedicated a large portion of his life to serving the community and he was very committed to the support of Sacred Heart Church, Bushwood, and Holy Angels Sacred Heart School. Through the years, he participated in numerous committees in support of the community, the church and the school. The family would like to thank MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital Stroke Team, and St. Mary’s Nursing and Rehab Center for their compassionate care of Jimmy and his family during this difficult time. The family will receive friends on Sunday, July 6, 2025, from 5:00PM to 8:00PM, with prayers recited at 7:00PM, in the Mattingley Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Church, Bushwood, MD, on Monday, July 7, 2025, at 10:00AM, with Father Kevin Fields officiating. Interment will follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be Jacob Spence, Craig Spence, John Guy, Tom Hodges, Dale Williams, and Patrick Goode. Honorary pallbearers will be Jenna Spence, Annette Hodges and Katherine Perry Mahon. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in the name of James William Spence, Sr. to Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 23080 Maddox Road, Bushwood, MD 20618 or to the Seventh District Volunteer Rescue Squad, 21530 Colton Point Road, Avenue, MD 20609 or to the St. Mary’s Nursing Center, 21585 Peabody Street, Leonardtown, MD 20650. Condolences may be made to the family at www.mgfh.com. Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home and Cremation Services, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.