"I will surely miss Uncle Spencer, he loved his big sister (my mother) and he was so close to my dad, you would think they were brothers. I never forget the time after I had neck surgery, Uncle Spencer, Aunt Thelma and Aunt Babe came to visit me, with box full of rice & peas, chicken etc., and spent the evening with me. The love he and Aunt Thelma had was admirable and I will miss my sweet, caring uncle so much. RIP Uncle Spencer."
In loving memory of
Joseph Spencer Campbell
August 6, 1923 - March 9, 2017
Joseph Spencer Campbell, 93 of Plantation, Florida passed away on March 9, 2017 at his home. Joe was a resident of Broward County, Florida for 36 years, coming from Mount Vernon, New York.
Joseph, a man of God, was the eighth child of Joseph Nathaniel and Maud Agatha Campbell, in the parish of Clarendon, township of Crofts Hill, Jamaica in August 6, 1923. He grew up on his father's 100 acre plantation where his dad grew sugar cane, cocoa and bananas. He was educated in Jamaica's elementary and secondary schools. He worshipped with his family in the Anglican Church, in the parish where he gave his life to Christ. He maintained his faith throughout his life.
He migrated to the United States and became a citizen in the early 1940's to further his education and obtain work opportunities. He settled in Bronx, New York. It was there he met the love of his life, Thelma. They were married in 1963 and moved to Mount Vernon, New York. Joe and his brother-in-law, Lottie Johnson opened and operated their mechanic shop and gas stations, where they serviced and repaired cars. He later sold the business and became a Real Estate Salesman until his retirement and moved to Florida.
After relocating to Plantation, he became a member of Plantation Community Church, where he was baptized and continued in his faith. As a member of PCC, he became very active by joining the worship choir because of his love for music. He was also involved in his men's ministry, Vacation Bible School and various Bible studies.
In 1992, Pastor Chip led us on a mission trip to the interior of Mexico, the Mazahua Indians Reservation, an indigent group in Central Mexico. He also became involved with "Gold Coast Via de Cristo, as a result of this mission, Bob DeCarlo, Ron Redfern, John Palsgrove and Joe were led to become prayer warriors. They met weekly for 18 years. Their friendship, fellowship and accountability also strengthened them and deepened their faith in Christ.
Joe loved to travel. Some of our most memorable trips include cruises to Alaska, various Caribbean Islands, Europe, Central America, Panama Canal, North Africa and four countries in the Middle East. In 1996, we traveled to Israel. Petra, Jordan was his favorite place. In addition to traveling, he loved poetry reading and memorizing Bible verses, Shakespeare's plays, and Longfellow and James Weldon Johnson. For hours, he and the children or friends would sit and he would recite the Bible, or literary classics, Longfellow's "The Psalm of Life". Three Sunday's before his passing he recited Psalm 139 for friends at his bedside.
Joseph was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph N. and Maud Campbell and siblings Alfred, Julia, Enez, Letitia, Mavis, Alexander, Hilda "JJ", Winston, and Clenton.
He is survived by his wife, Thelma Campbell and siblings Hyacinth Alexander and Gloria Rainford. His children, Bernice Lawson (Ivor) of Elmont, New York, Richard Bolden of Plantation, Florida and Reginald Bolden (Teresa) of Sugarland, Texas. His grandchildren, Chereece Martin (William) of Baldwin, New York, Yves Lawson of Elmont, New York, Darruis Lawson of Elmont, New York, Brian Bolden of Austin, Texas, Baylee Bolden of Sugarland, Texas. Great-granddaughter, Lianna Martin of Belmont, New York. Special grandchildren Joe Roblego of Fort Lauderdale, FL and Donovan Roblego of Sunrise, FL. His many nieces and nephews, cousins, in-laws and most cherished friends.
We love you Spencer, we will miss you but God loves you most and brought you home.
Enjoy your new life.
Tributes
"Dearest TC I was always impresed with the love the two of you shared. A true gentleman and so greatful that our friendship thru the years on the board that I can share the memories of great times together at all the programs . Stay strong my friend . I will always and forever love you as a friend. To all of your family I embrace with my deepest sympathies ."
"Aunt Thelma & Family, we are so saddened that Uncle Spencer has passed. He was such a sweetheart; a kind, loving family man. We all loved him so much and he genuinely loved us back. He would always hug and make us laugh. I remember the last time we visited with him in Florida, he shared with us lots of stories from back home in Jamaica. We will miss him terribly. Those memories of him will always be in our hearts. Love you all, Valrie (Miss Ivy & Alfred Campbell's daughter), husband Donnie and daughter Brianna - Windsor, Connecticut."
"Dear Cousin Thelma and family, It is with much sadness that our deepest sympathy is expressed to you and the family. I have such fond memories of the time my cousins and I visited you and Spence. We had a wonderful time and Spence accepted us as family. It was a joy to be in his presence and he always showed love to the family. He will be greatly missed but remember for those who die in Christ, the Bible says to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. Your memories of Spence will forever comfort you until you see him again. Sending much love cousins Pat, Marian, Alvin, Edna and Jeneshia. "