Alberta LaVerna Spencer, of Moravia, passed away Sunday, June 20, 2010 at Mercy Medical Center in Centerville, Alberta was born the daughter of Albert Massey and Harriet(Mathews)Rouse on March 29, 1918. On May 30, 1941, Alberta married Ralph Spencer and to this union two children were born. A daughter, Mary Kay, and a son, Stanley.
Alberta graduated from the Albia School system and received her credentials for teaching where she taught in the rural schools of Monroe County near the Hilton area. Alberta was a devoted partner with her husband on the farm where they farmed in the Selection area in Monroe County after their marriage, later moving to Moravia, where they farmed what was known at the time as the Glick Farm, located west of Moravia, later purchasing a farm south of Moravia and moving there.
Alberta was an avid gardener and seamstress, a 4-H leader in Appanoose and Monroe counties, a member of the Taylor-Aid Club, former member of the Sew and So Club and member of the Grace United Methodist Church in Moravia. Alberta loved to garden and took great pride in her vegetable and flower gardens. There was not a flower or plant which Albert could not name or did not know how to care for. She loved the farm life working along-side her husband. One of the greatest joys in her life were her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, making sure she had time available to share with them.
Alberta is survived by her daughter Mary Kay(Irvin)Williams, a son, Stanley(Elaine)Spencer, both of Moravia; grandchildren, Chad(Tygh)Hiatt of Canyon, Texas, Chris(Amy)Spencer and Megan(Richard)Irving of Moravia and step-grandchildren, Larry(Peggy)Williams of Dodge City, Kansas, Danny(Jayne Helton)Williams of Belle, Mo. and Bob(Amy)Williams of Blairsville, Ga.; and great-grandchildren Quade and Kroos Joy Hiatt of Canyon, Texas, Finley, Jaida and Kenna Spencer and Jacob Irving of Moravia and step-great-grandchildren Clay, Zachary and Adam Williams of Blairsville, Ga. Also surviving is a sister, Blanche Rowley of Albia, a sister-in-law June Rouse of Centerville and several nieces and nephews.
Alberta was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph, her parents, Albert and Harriet Rouse, brother Warren Rouse, brother-in-law Earl Rowley and in-laws, Bruce and Bertha(Darby)Spencer.
Graveside services will be held Wednesday, June 23 at 2 pm at the Hillcrest Cemetery in Moravia with a visitation/luncheon at the Moravia Community Center. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to the Moravia Grace United Methodist Church or the Moravia First Responders.
