Harry Edward "Ed" Spencer

Harry Edward Spencer (Ed) of Charlottesville passed away June 6, 2026

Ed was born in Faber, Va, February 2,1942, he was the youngest son of the late Robert Lloyd Spencer Sr and Emory Lillian Phillips Spencer of Nelson County, VA.

Ed had a love of cars from his younger days drag racing at New London Dragway near Lynchburg, Va to restoring a 1966 Ford Fairlane. He also spent many hours overseeing the rebuilding of many cars at his home along with his two sons.

He was also an outdoorsman. He loved to fish, either in the mountains of Highland or Bath County for native Brook Trout to the rivers around Nelson for Smallmouth bass. In the 1970’s he added fishing on the beaches of Buxton, NC. Around that same time, he and his friends began the annual hunting camp, usually for a week or two in various locations across the state. He was the “bald head grocer” as he was responsible for bringing the food. In 1989 the hunting camp grew to 23 people and more were added over the years.

He started working for the Kroger Company in 1960. Before Kroger, he attempted a job with the DuPont company in Waynesboro, VA but failed his physical due to a slight curve in his back - they thought he could be at risk of a back injury from lifting. He started at the Waynesboro Kroger as a grocery clerk and was then transferred to the Barracks Road location in Charlottesville. He later moved to the new store on Emmet St. and finished his career in the store at Rio Hill. During his career, one of his tasks with Kroger was to go around the state and set up new stores or reset remodels along with fellow co-workers. When he retired in 2014, he never had a back injury after all those years lifting millions of pounds of groceries.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents as well as his sister Mary Lillian Small and brother Robert Lloyd Spencer Jr. (Bill).

Ed is survived by his sons, Timothy Q. Spencer and wife Karen, William P. Spencer and wife Jennifer, and granddaughter Chloe. He is also survived by two sisters, Maude Ann Gormes and husband Wayne, and Carolyn Spencer Fitzgerald.

The family would like to thank the staff of Westminster Canterbury of the Blue Ridge for all their assistance during his stay.

A family night will be from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 9, 2026 at Wells/Sheffield Funeral Chapel in Lovingston, Virginia.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 10, 2026 at Ridgecrest Baptist Church Cemetery with Russ Simpson officiating.

Ed encountered tens of thousands of people in his years of work and made a thousand friends. He enjoyed his work and friendships. If you wish to make a donation in his name, please choose a food bank of your choice.

Arrangements by the Wells/Sheffield Funeral Chapel of Lovingston (434) 263-4097.