Gregory Lynn Spence

Gregory Lynn Spence, affectionately known as “Greg” “Dad” “Pop-Pop” , and “Uncle Greg”, was the youngest child born to the late Denson Denison Spence Jr. and Alice Marie Northan Spence on Sunday, November 6, 1960, in Milford, Delaware. He passed quietly and peacefully from this life to his eternal reward on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at Chesapeake Regional Medical Center, Chesapeake, Virginia.
 

After his father’s sudden death in an automobile and truck accident, Greg and his family moved to Parksley (Whitesville), Virginia when he was just a baby. It was there in Whitesville that he grew up and attended Adams United Methodist Church as a youth. As he continued to grow, Greg began stretching his abilities on the courts alongside his big brother Denson, and eventually, Greg started playing basketball for the Accomac Knights, a summertime recreation league under the leadership of Coach Craig Savage. Before long, it was not uncommon to see crowds of teenaged boys playing basketball in Ms. Alice’s yard. These friends came around so often until they were welcomed as family too, not only outside in the yard but also inside sitting around the kitchen table eating some of that good food cooked by Ms. Alice. Somehow after eating, the guys managed to find their way back outside in the yard playing ball.
 

From this group of guys that started playing basketball in someone’s yard led to aka “The Dream Team” at Parksley High that carried over into the newly combined Parksley and Atlantic High Schools known as Arcadia High School. It was there that Greg’s athletic ability in baseball and basketball excelled under the leadership of Coaches Mike Stevens and Larry Thomas. The Arcadia Firebirds were hot on the trail winning trophies and other recognitions on the local, district, and regional levels, but came short of winning the basketball state championship! Greg received many scholarships and awards for his achievement, all of which made his family, friends, and the Parksley/Whitesville community very proud! Greg graduated from Arcadia High School’s first class in 1979. From there, he played college basketball at Delaware State University, Dover, DE and Virginia Union University, Richmond, VA.
 

Greg had an “eye” for being mechanically inclined, so he attended Eastern Shore Community College in Melfa, VA where he picked up a trade and earned a certificate for Inside and Outside Machinery. This skill led Greg to the Hampton Roads area where he worked for the Metro Machine Shop as a machinist, and later for Barco Mediations as a heavy equipment operator.

Greg had a quiet spirit but was kind, sociable, and pleasing to be around. He shared a special bond with his family and friends, but most of all, Greg really enjoyed his time with his grandkids, his buddies, and watching sports. He was an avid Pittsburg Steelers fan who showed his loyalty to the colors and logo he wore! Gregory was a believer in God and prayer! He loved music, including gospel. Two of his favorite hymns were “Never Would Have Made It” and “Father, Can You Hear Me”. Although Greg had the tendency to show up late for events, his quiet spirit and smiling face made it all worthwhile for just being there.

Gregory now joins his predeceased family, parents, Denson Spence Jr. and Alice Northan Spence, grandparents, Denson Spence, Sr. and Gecolar Spence, Norman and Hattie Northan, sisters, Waneece Spence Jones, Yolanda Spence Franklin, Father Figure, Jesse Farrow, and nephew, Anthony Wilson. More recently, Greg was
preceded in death by his eldest sister, Ella Northan Roux and Lifelong Partner, Cynthia Miller.

Gregory’s absence will be deeply felt by his six children, Raven (Coshunba) Giddens of Hallwood, VA, Jermaine (Jacklyn) Core of Atlantic, VA, Rykea Conquest & Tantania Conquest both of Locustville, VA, Tyseinea (Andre) Bibbins of Pocomoke City, MD, and Randora Ames of Norfolk, VA; thirteen grandchildren, Tremaine Core, Jermaine Core, Coshunba Giddens, Tyjayla Giddens, Atianna Conquest, Rameria Copes, Cornasia Giddens, Trinity Veney, Demya Conquest, Shyasia Cuffee, Roberto Ramos, Jose Ramos, and Levi Crippen III, and one great grandchild, Keyior Stines, four sisters, Willie Mae Wilson (John) of Parksley, VA, Shirley Justis of Washington, DC, Gecolar Bagwell (Gregory) of Melfa, VA, and Barbara Ames of Parksley, VA; two brothers, Denson Spence III (Sharon) of Portsmouth, Va, and Jeffery Northan, Sr. (Jeanette) of Woodbridge, VA; one Aunt Bernice Cowell of Elizabeth City, NC, Special friends & family, Jeffery (Daph) Mason of Philadelphia, PA, Henry Ray “Ray Bop “Handy of Gainesville, FL, Garland (Wendy) Euster of Delaware, Gary “Skeeter” Holden of Chesapeake, VA, Kenneth Wilson of Newport News, VA, Theodore “Pete” Rowley, Milton Johnson, Claude Johnson, and Rodney Wilson all of Parksley, VA, and Brian Northan of Virginia Beach, VA and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives and sorrowing friends.

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