Antonio T. Spence, neighborhood mechanic
Antonio T. Spence, 58, of Frankford departed this earthly life Thursday, April 19, 2018, at Beebe Medical Center in Lewes surrounded by his loving wife and family. Tony, as he was affectionately known, was born March 28, 1960, in Lewes. He was the eighth child of 16 siblings born to the late Matthew Hilton Spence and Elma Ree Stephens Spence. He received his formal education in the Worcester and Sussex County public school systems. Tony spent most of his life working in the Tyson poultry division as a chicken catcher. In 1974, he met his high school sweetheart Brenda Lee Jones. The two exchanged vows in 1992 and from this union three sons were born: Antonio, Antoine and Anthony.
During his spare time, he provided landscaping and lawn care throughout the neighborhood, and working on the neighbors’ cars earned him the title of neighborhood mechanic. Tony never met a stranger, and he addressed everyone he met as a champ. He enjoyed spending time with his family, and every Sunday he made it a priority to reach out and connect with his sisters. He also loved special moments with his children and his grandchildren, and they loved him too; in fact, his great-granddaughter Heaven considered his home as Pop-Pop’s Day Care. “Tone-Loc,” as he is also remembered, was a kindhearted, gentle soul who will be greatly missed by his family and all who knew him. In addition to his parents, Matthew and Elma, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Kim Spence and Leo Spence.
He leaves to cherish fond memories, his devoted wife of 26 years, Brenda Lee Spence of Millsboro; three sons: Antonio Jones of Millsboro, Antoine (Franchetta) Jones of Laurel, and Anthony Jones, also of Millsboro; three brothers: John Evans Jr. of Laurel, Robert Baines (Sherry) of Pocomoke, Md., and Matthew Spence (Carolyn) of Seaford; 10 sisters: Sandra Thomas of Dover, Patricia Sturgis (Ricky) of Dagsboro, Rose Drummond of Millsboro, Judy Harmon (Terry) of Frankford, Patricia Jones (Rufus) of Millsboro, Penelope Spence of New York, Dale Spence and Lucinda Spence, both of Dagsboro, Audrey Spence (Anthony) Bridgeville, and Patience Spence of Millsboro. Also surviving are one uncle, Mexico Stephens (Elizabeth) of Salisbury, Md.; three aunts: Thelma Towns and Mildred Spence, both of Salisbury, and Jeanette White of Millsboro; five sisters-in-law: Irene Atkins of Frankford, Johnie Conquest of Delmar, Sarah White of Berlin, Md., Marilyn Jones of Millsboro, and Carrie Crippen (Charles) of Laurel; three brothers-in-law: Zeno Phillips (Lorraine) of Goldsboro, N.C., Joseph Jones of Wilmington, and George Laws of Hurlock, Md. He is also remembered by eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, extended relatives, family and friends.
A celebration of life service will be held at noon, Friday, April 27, at St. John 2nd Baptist Church, 26602 Mt. Joy Road, Millsboro. Family and friends may visit two hours prior to service. To offer words of comfort or sign the guest book, visit www.benniesmithfuneralhome.com. Professional services entrusted to Bennie Smith Funeral Home, Millsboro.
