Helen Montgomery Spencer

Published 12:00 am Saturday, September 8, 2012

Sept. 26, 1922 – Sept. 5, 2012

NATCHEZ — Services for Helen Montgomery Spencer, 89, of Natchez, who died Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2012, at her residence, were 2 p.m. Friday at Westminster Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Richard Wood officiating.

Burial followed at the Fayette City Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Visitation was from 1 p.m. until service time Friday at the church.

Mrs. Spencer was born Sept. 26, 1922, in Union Church, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C.N. Montgomery Sr. She was a resident of Fayette and later Natchez.

Mrs. Spencer was a member of the Fayette Presbyterian Church and Westminster Presbyterian Church in Natchez. She was very involved with civic work, including the Mississippi River Parkway Commission, the American Red Cross and the Natchez Trace Parkway. She was also a member of the Historic Natchez Foundation’s licensing committee.

Her love of flowers and gardening led her to becoming president of the Fayette Garden Club, a member of the Pilgrimage Garden Club of Natchez and later becoming president of the Pilgrimage Garden Club of America in 2003-2004. She was presented with the medal of merit by the Garden Club of America in May 2004. She will be remembered as a true “southern lady.”

Mrs. Spencer was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Steve Spencer; one sister, Dorothy Montgomery Covington; and one brother, Charles Norris Montgomery Jr.

Survivors include one daughter, Julie Spencer and one son, Steve Spencer Jr., both of New Orleans.

Pallbearers were Kirk Montgomery, Ritchie Montgomery, Keith Montgomery, Mason Montgomery and Don Covington.

The family wishes to express their appreciation to her special companion and friend, Lucy Washington and to her caregivers, including Twanna Sewell and Sharon Washington for their dedication.

Memorials may be made to the Fayette Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 424, Fayette, MS 39069.

Online condolences may be sent to www.lairdfh.com.