Rev. Herbert Frederick Spencer, 89, of Atlanta formerly of Lavonia, passed away Saturday, January 28, 2017 at Pruitt Health of Brookhaven, Atlanta, GA.

Born on December 9, 1927 in New Kensington, PA, he was the son of the late Hayward Harold Spencer and Georgina Clarke Spencer.Rev. Spencer graduated with a BA degree from the University of South Florida and a Masters of Divinity degree from Candler School of Theology, Emory University. He was a retired minister from the Florida United Methodist Conference and attended both the Hartwell First United Methodist Church and Providence United Methodist Church.He also was a US Navy veteran.

Survivors include one son: Jeff Spencer (Katrina) of Atlanta; one daughter: Denise Tinkoff of Alpharetta; one brother: Jim Spencer of Tampa, FL; four grandchildren: Jennifer Michelle Russell (Shane), Kristen Ward (Peter), Ryan Tinkoff (Margaret) and J. Allan Spencer; five great-grandchildren: Jack and Aiden Russell, Kaylin, Alyssa and Ella Ward. Rev. Spencer was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Theoma Romaine Baker Spencer; one daughter: Susan Tucker; two brothers:Harold Spencer, Cliff Spencer and one sister: Katherine Piercy.

Funeral services will be Saturday, February 4, 2017, at 2:00 pm at the Hartwell First United Methodist Church with Dr. R. Allen Stewart and Rev. Doug Brown officiating.Burial will be in the Providence United Methodist Church Cemetery.

The body is at the Strickland Funeral Home of Hartwell. The family will receive friends at the Hartwell First United Methodist Church gathering area from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. Saturday prior to the service.The family is at their respective homes.Flowers are optional, memorials may be made to the Hartwell First United Methodist Church Building Fund, 200 W. Howell Street, Hartwell, GA30643.

The Strickland Funeral Home of Hartwell is in charge of all arrangements.