Earl Franklin Spencer

Earl Franklin Spencer, 78, of Claremore, OK, was born March 9, 1945 in Henryetta, OK, to George B. and Rossie Lee (Smith) Spencer and peacefully passed away Tuesday, October 3, 2023 in Muskogee with his loving family by his side. In December of 1966, Earl enlisted in the United States Army and proudly served his country during the Vietnam war, until he was honorably discharged in June of 1968. On September 4, 1966, he married the love of his life, Carolyn Ellis, in Holdenville, OK. Together they spent 57 years raising a family and making precious memories. He wore many hats in his lifetime, from a soldier, a butcher, a mailman, but his true calling was a Pastor and this calling lasted over 50 years. He was an Ordained Minister of the United Pentecostal Church International. Earl was a presbyter in Kansas, a Harvest Time Director for the state of Kansas, and started home mission churches in Fort Scott, KS and Fort Gibson, OK. He also served as a sectional youth director in Kansas and pastored in Fort Scott, KS; Council Grove, KS; Chouteau, OK; and Fort Gibson, OK. Earl enjoyed working with his hands, joking, reading, and spending time with his family. Earl was preceded in death by his parents; brother, LeRoy Spencer; great-grandsons, Matthew and Layton Baldridge; father and mother-in-law, Reverend Charles and Pauline Ellis. He is lovingly survived by his wife of the home; daughters, Karen Spencer of Claremore, OK, Tonya Baldridge and husband Chris of Collinsville, OK, and Gwyneth Maust and wife Sheila of McLoud, OK; grandsons, Joshua Baldridge and wife Sarah of Florissant, MO and Padon Baldridge of Collinsville, OK; granddaughters, Tonukkah Baldridge of Annapolis, MD, Becca Williams and husband Logan of McLoud, OK; sisters, Lois Hardin of Okemah, OK, Janet Austin Hollingsworth of Okemah, OK, and Hazel Tummons and husband Dearrell of Council Grove, KS; brothers, Dan Moses and wife Bonnie of Tulsa, OK and Mark Ellis and wife Sheila of Mesquite, TX; great-grandchildren, Lucaya, Anikah, Nicolette, JaReez, Alexis, Aiden, Gunner, Daisy, Hailey, Laci and Samantha; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends. Visitation for Earl with family greeting friends will be 5PM-8PM, Thursday, October 5, 2023 at Clifford D Garrett Family Funeral Home and Crematory, 1020 West Okmulgee Avenue, Muskogee, OK. A celebration of Earl’s life will be 11:30AM, Saturday, October 21, 2023 at North Point United Pentecostal Church in Sperry, OK with Reverend Richard Christian, Reverend Micah Wisdom, Reverend John Carroll, Reverend Rick Nance, Reverend Matthew Martin, and Reverend Wesley Witcher officiating. Josh Baldridge, Padon Baldridge, Logan Williams, Gunner Maust, Byron Spencer, JJ Hollingsworth, Mark McVeigh, Larry Moses, Coby Hardin, Mickey Hardin, George Hardin, Jaye Johnson, Travis Gardisser, Michael McVeigh, John Phelps, Mark Hamilton and Xavier Martinez will serve as honorary casket bearers. Memorial contributions may be made to Tupelo Children’s Mansion, 1801 East Main Street, Tupelo, MS 38804. The family of Earl Franklin Spencer has entrusted his care, service and burial to Cliff and Carmen Garrett and Staff of Clifford D Garrett Family Funeral Home and Crematory, Muskogee. Online condolences may be made to the family at clifforddgarrettfamilyfh.com.

Earl Franklin Spencer

March 9, 1945 - October 3, 2023