AHOSKIE, NC – Earl Lee Spence, 62, of 1451 US 13 South, Ahoskie, passed away on Saturday, November 24, 2018 in his home.

Earl was born in Norfolk, Virginia, on January 31, 1956, and was the son of the late Howard Alden “Pete” Spence and Olivia Byrd Spence. An equipment operator with Lewis Lumber Company in Gatesville, he was a member of Reynoldson Baptist Church. Earl had a lifelong love for sports, particularly Softball, and played until very recently when his health would not allow him to continue. His death came just a few weeks before he was to be inducted into the National Softball Association Hall of Fame.

Surviving are two daughters, Reanna Rawls and husband, Travis, of Winterville, and Raven White of Chesapeake, VA; a son, Damien Spence and wife, Morgan, of Sunbury; three brothers, Howard Spence and wife, Donna, of Virginia Beach, VA, Luther Spence of Eure, and David Spence and wife, Cathy, of Winton; and three grandchildren, Julian Lee Spence, Imogen Tenly Rawls, and Kilby Wren White. Also surviving are Kristina Diaz-Vazquez and her children, Pilar and Lola, of Germany. Kristina was a foreign exchange student who became a part of the Spence family and Earl loved her like a daughter.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, November 28 at 11:00 a.m. in Reynoldson Baptist Church and will be conducted by the Revs. Cody Brinkley and Billy Presley. A private burial will follow in the Milwaukee Cemetery in Northampton County.

Friends may join the family in the Reynoldson Social Hall immediately following the funeral service, or all other times at the residence.

Miller Funeral Home, 304 Main Street, Gatesville, is assisting the family with arrangements and online condolences may be made by visiting www.millerfhc.com.