Mary B. Spence

Spence, Mary Beth (Beth) of Disputanta, Virginia, 57, a unique and unrepeatable soul departed this life on Sunday September 2, 2012. Beth was born on December 31, 1954 in Havre de Grace, Maryland to Mr. Albert Baxter of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and his wife Lois Elaine Fitzgerald of Zion, Maryland. She was raised by Lois and her second husband J C Rakes of Swords Creek, Virginia, who both preceded her in death. She is survived by “the love of her life”, her husband, Stephen with whom she spent 35 glorious years, six children to whom she dedicated her life- Matthew & his soulmate (future wife) Mandy of Disputanta, Virginia, daughter Rachel & her husband Jeff Barnes of Lost Creek, West Virginia, her beloved pups Rascal and Buster- and granddaughter, Madison Nicole Smith of Chesapeake, Virginia, sister Jamie and her husband Charles Brown of Conowingo, Maryland and their children Megan and Samantha, brother Samuel Fitzgerald Rakes and his wife Sally and their son Chris, of North East, Maryland, and sister Bonnie and her husband Harro Baum of Kissimee, Florida and their daughter Andrea. During her life, Beth created a wonderful home for both her family and their pets. She truly lived by her motto- penned by Ralph Waldo Emerson- “You can never do an act of kindness too soon as you never know when it will be too late.” Services for Beth will be a private celebration of her life by family members. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Richmond Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals- mail to Robins-Starr humane center 2519 Hermitage Rd., Richmond, VA 23220 or PAWS for a Cause- mail to Paws for a Cause, INC. 2708 Freeman Mill Rd., Suffolk, VA 23438.