Joseph McCoy Spence, Jr.

Our beloved, US ARMY SFC RET. Joseph McCoy Spence, Jr., age 68 of Hopewell, VA., departed from this life on Tuesday, June 24, 2025.

Life Celebration Service will be held on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at 1:00 pm at New Sawyer’s Creek Missionary Baptist Church, Camden, NC. A viewing will be held at the funeral home on Friday, from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm. 

Joseph McCoy Spence, Jr., was born May 12, 1957, to the late Joseph McCoy Spence, Sr. and Ruth Godwin Ferebee.  He was the oldest son of six children. 

Affectionately called “Joe Jr.”, by his mother, he became a member of New Sawyer’s Creek Baptist Church and was baptized along with his brother and several cousins at the age of 12.  He served as a junior usher until he graduated from High School and joined the Army. 

Joe Jr. graduated from Camden County High School in 1975. Soon after, he joined the US Army and traveled the world.  He retired as an E7 - Sargent First Class.  Not ready to stop working yet, Joe joined the Police force for the city of Richmond, VA as a Patrol Officer. While still employed by the Police force, he earned a Criminal Justice degree from Virginia State University in Petersburg, VA in May 2003.  Still feeling the need to serve his fellowman, Joe went back to school and earned another degree in Law Enforcement Public Safety in June 2017,  and became a teacher in the Richmond Public School System (City).  There, he created and taught the first Police and Fire Management Program for the Franklin Military Academy and the Richmond Technical Center – both located in Richmond, VA.  These programs are still in existence and thriving today.  Sgt. Spence, as he was fondly called by his students, enjoyed having an influence on and being a role model for young people. 

When he finally retired for the last time, Joseph spent a lot of his leisure time hanging out with his fiancé, Elaine and trying his luck in casinos.  The rest of his time, he worked in his yard and did minor repairs and upgrades to his home.  These skills, he said were inherited from his maternal Grandfather – “Daddy Bruce” who was both a farmer and carpenter by trade.  Joe also was a loyal member of the Masonic Lodge. 

Joseph was preceded in death, by his father, Joseph McCoy Spence, Sr. and his mother, Ruth Godwin Ferebee, sisters Cassie Joe Spence and Linda Spence Greene, maternal grandparents, Asbury Bruce Godwin and Clara Perry Godwin and paternal grandparents, Elmer Allen Spence and Freddie Mae Williams Spence. 

He leaves to cherish his memories – two sons, JaColbi Johnson and Joseph McCoy Spence III;  fiancé, Elaine Johnson-Macon; two sisters Cynthia Spence Griffin (Lemuel – deceased) and Demetria Lang (James Jr); one brother Reynold Spence (Jakolyn); two uncles - Hiram Godwin, Sr. and Earl White, Jr.;  two aunts, Lois Godwin White and Rose Spence (Mike – deceased);  and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. 

Mitchell Funeral Care and Cremations is assisting the family. 

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