Obituary of Jody Spence

Jody Christopher Spence was born in Voorhees, New Jersey on Thursday, January 9, 1992, at 2:10 p.m.to parents Semein "CiCi” Pagan and Nigel Spence. On March 28, 2004, he was baptized as a Jehovah’s Witness. Jody was the first grandson of adoring grandparents, and he enjoyed being a big brother and a “big cousin” to his family. He was born into a family of love and was adored by his mother and father. Jody was a truly lovely child with curls, plump cheeks, and a bright smile. He was his mother's joy and his father's pride. Jody spent his youth tied strongly to his mother while family relationships shifted, but he was never without his father, and shown love, protection, and advice from his family. He was the first grandchild, the first nephew … our First Love. Jody attended Blackwood Elementary, graduated from Highland High School, and would go on to complete secondary education, getting his associate degree and CDL license while navigating a career journey that would bring him to Amtrak as a lineman. Jody is preceded in death by his son Kai Spence, maternal grandmother Thelma Goodall and paternal grandmother Verna Fraser, his step-grandmother Norma Spence, and his stepbrother James “Tre” Riley III. Jody is survived by his mother, Semein Pagan (Daniel); father, Nigel Spence (Carla); maternal grandfather, Gilbert Goodall, paternal grandfather, Neville Spence; siblings, Cheyenne, Aaron, Alysea, Isabela (Nephew Leo), Ryan and Parker; his aunts, Danielle Fox (Richard), Jocelyn Williams (Joseph), Michelle Rogers (Corey), and Victoria Spence; uncle, Sheldon Spence (Gina); his cousins, Azriel, Raven, Lea, Zoe, Ava, Cortland, Asia, Briana, Jasmine, Noah, and Abasi. “Jody, we are missing you dearly.” Once you met Jody, he left an impression. Yes, he was handsome; he was also loving, kind, big-hearted, intelligent; he was funny, adventurous, protective, and brave. A giant in stature, love, affection, gifts and talent, his beautiful spirit filled every room. Jody enjoyed good food, good music, his family, his friends, he could often be found lifting weights and staying fit. He found freedom on the open road. His talents and interests included painting and sketching, sports, especially football and loving on every new baby cousin and sibling that entered the family. He enjoyed a good book, reggae music, island vacations, and was a motorcycle enthusiast. There were many family events, graduations, baby showers, weddings, anniversaries, barbeques, conventions/ assemblies, always greeting family and friends with a sincere embrace, and kind word – whether it had been a few hours, days, or weeks. Family is family and with family, come ups and downs, sickness and health, good times and uncertainty, joy, and sadness. Jody always showed up for his family and friends, whatever it took, he was there. Jody loved and cared for his family. His untimely and senseless death has left his family and friends heart broken. Jody is resting ... Jehovah promises that the dead will live again. (Isaiah 26:19)