Ersie Lee Spencer

Ersie L. Spencer, (“Peaches”) was born July 9, 1935 in Camden, Arkansas. She is the only child of Virgie Edwards-Forman and John W. Forman. At the age of 7 she moved with her parents to Detroit Michigan . She grew up in Detroit with a host of cousins, aunts and uncles. She grew up an active child playing rough with her male cousins taking an interest in what boys do, so they called her a tomboy. Her parents raised her to believe in G-d, therefore, she was active in the church even as a child. Ersie’s formal education was completed with the 12^th grade. But she never stopped learning. When she didn’t know something, she would ask.

After completing high school, she began a dancing career. Because of Ersie’s complexion and dance style, she was nicknamed, “The Cuban Doll”. Through her dancing she met and fell in love with a night club owner named, Shellie L. Spencer. They were married and Blessed with 5 sons who they raised in upstate New York. While in Schenectady, NY in the beginning her focus was her children, husband and G-d. She was active in school activities, which led her to bake sales, becoming the President of the PTA, and Den Mother of the Cub Scouts, to name a few. Though busy with raising her family, and school activities, Ersie still found time to sell Avon. She liked to earn her own money. Ersie was active in her church and she made sure her children were active as well. In Schenectady, NY, she was a member of the Mt. Olivet Missionary Baptist Church. There she served as an Usher Board Member for church services and funerals. As an Usher, she founded the Junior Usher Board and her children were the first members.

In 1981, Ersie moved back to Detroit, MI to look after her parents. Ersie joined Christian Faith Missionary Baptist Temple and immediately begin serving her Lord, Pastor and church community. She was known as the voice of hospitality as she welcomed the worshipers every Sunday. She also helped plan and organize the Pastors Anniversary festivities.

Ersie’s career choice was retail sales. She is perfectly suited for that because of her pleasant disposition and her love of people. While in Schenectady she worked briefly at Flah’s Department Store. But it was Detroit where she made her career of over 20 years in the cosmetic department at Saks Fifth Avenue.

In 2007 Ersie moved from Detroit to San Antonio, Texas to live with her son Omar and daughter in law Zarinah, where she would spend the rest of her life. While there, she joined True Vine Baptist Church. Because her son and daughter in law are Muslims, she became a regular attendee at many mosque services and activities. The Muslim community loved her dearly and she will be missed by them. To some Ersie is known as “Mama Diva”.

In January of 2022, Ersie became ill and over a 10-month period slowly declined. When it came time for her hospice care, she received that loving care in her bedroom with loving attention from her son Omar and daughter in law Zarinah, and with great support from her son Roland, daughter in law Jackee’, grandchildren and their spouses and the Muslim Community of Masjid Bilal.

Ersie is proceeded in death by her parents, ex-husband Shellie Spencer Sr. and grandson Davee Spencer.

Ersie transitioned from this life on October 26, 2022. She leaves to mourn her 5 sons, Shellie Spencer Jr., Omar Shakir, John Spencer, Roland Spencer and Javier Spencer, her daughter in laws, Shelia, Zarinah, Jackee’, Angel and Diane, her grandchildren and their spouses, Fatimah, Shellie III, Master, Latavia, Damion, Keenan, Shaleah, Aliyyah, Salim, Munir, Nadirah, Alexis, Kyriece, and host of great grandchildren, cousins and friends.