Georgia Ethel Spencer
March 17, 1938 - June 21, 2025
Obituary
Georgia Spencer was born on March 17, 1938, in Kansas City, Kansas, to the union of John E. Spencer and Addie B. Chew Spencer. She was the eldest of two daughters and from the beginning, had a spitfire personality. She grew up as a member of the First African Methodist Episcopal Church (First AME) of Kansas City, KS. where she developed strong Christian values and a commitment to humanitarianism.
At the tender age of 10, Georgia’s mother passed. She was raised by her father and nurtured by her aunts, Elnore (Addi’s younger sister) and Georgia (John’s older sister). They were fond of visiting family and sharing family stories, which piqued Georgia’s lifelong interest in traveling and genealogy at a young age. She was also influenced and loved by her stepmother, Mayetta Berry Spencer, who instilled the importance of independence and hard work.
Georgia received her basic schooling through Kansas City, KS public schools, graduating from Sumner High School. She continued her education through junior college, followed by attending Pittsburg State University in Kansas, where she earned a degree in Education and later obtained her Master’s degree at Western Washington University.
Georgia taught for 5 years with the Kansas City, KS Public Schools as a primary school teacher. And then moved to Seattle in 1967, securing a teaching position with Seattle Public Schools via a phone interview. She worked there for 35 years, teaching all primary grades but favoring 3rd and 5th grade.
Georgia, through a relationship with Burns Obeng, had two daughters, Carol Obeng and Melanie Obeng-Jones. In 2009, Georgia happily welcomed a devoted son-in-law, Jerry Jones.
Her dedication to volunteering began as a member of Delta Sigma Theta Incorporated. She would later serve as a Girl Scout leader for several troops. Her community involvement extended to free tax preparation at the Community Center. She spent countless hours volunteering with the Washington State Democrats, canvassing neighborhoods, and hosting informative events encouraging voting registration. In her later years, she served as treasurer and thrift store manager for the Southeast Senior Center and served as President of the Seattle Black Genealogy Research Group (BGRG).
Compassion was also Georgia’s superpower. As a young adult, she cared for her elderly Aunt Georgia. After moving to Seattle, she brought her aging father and his older brother, Jefferson Cayton, to Seattle to care for them. Later, she moved her elderly cousin, Mary Lillian Tobin, from TX and helped make her final years joyful.
Her greatest accomplishments were raising strong, independent daughters and nurturing her beloved granddaughters. Her political work also made her proud as she secured a delegate seat at two National Democratic Conventions: Los Angeles in 2000 and Boston in 2004. She was also selected to serve as a state elector in 2012, securing votes for President Obama for the state of Washington. Georgia found immense fulfillment in connecting with extended family members and dedicated herself to extensive genealogical research. After years of passionately collecting family stories and photographs, she published a book tracing her maternal family history to the late 1700s. This work established her as the family historian, connecting generations and underscoring the importance of knowing one’s heritage.
Georgia was preceded in death by her mother and father and all of her maternal first cousins. She leaves to cherish her memory her sister, Carol Spencer Judie of St. Louis, MO; her daughters, Carol Obeng and Melanie Obeng-Jones (Jerry Jones); granddaughters Melanie and Madison Learmonth of Seattle, WA; nieces and nephews Debra Judie Holloway, Jacqueline Judie, Darrell Judie of St. Louis, MO, and Robert Judie of Dallas, TX; her extended Gray, Jones, Morrow, Chew family throughout the United States as well as her beloved friends.
My condolence to you and your family. I am so thankful that I had a part of your mother journey here on earth. She has always been one special lady she will be missed.
Sorry, for your loss, may God bless your family at this time of need. Georgia RIP
My deepest sympathy and prayers. I empathize with you for there is no loss like losing your mother. I do know God will sustain and provide for you. Georgia was someone I admired. Her life story is a testament to her many accomplishments and love of community. She was so helpful to me in starting to learn genealogy. I will remember Georgia fondly. May sweet memories of her bring you smiles and comfort. She is at peace now with our Lord.
Sorry for your loss. Georgia contributed a lot of great information to the Morrow, Gray, Chew, Jones families. May the Lord bless your family and continue to strengthen all of you during your time of mourning.
Forever in our hearts, rest in perfect peace Georgia.
The Kwabi-Addo family.