Sharon Spencer (Abbey) White

Sharon Spencer White, 90, of Grand Rapids, MI, entered Heaven on August 5, 2024.  Sharon was born April 22, 1934 to Milton and Geraldine (Landis) Abbey in Flint, MI.

 On May 17, 1953 she married George Edwin Spencer.  They went on to have four children, Merrie Lynn, George Raymond, Brenda Joyce, and Martha Jean.  Sharon fully supported her husband’s call into pastoral ministry in the Methodist Church in 1956. They initially moved to Elba, MI while he completed his degree at the University of Michigan and then to Bowerston, OH while he earned his Master of Divinity degree.  Both appointments required her to effectively be a single parent in the days before online education.  He would have to go to school during the week and minister to his appointments on the weekend.

 After his graduation, they moved to Royal Oak, MI in 1964 and then Marquette, MI.  While there Sharon earned her Licensed Practical Nurse degree from Northern Michigan University. She used her degree as they then moved to Monroe, MI; Grayling, MI; Belleville, MI; and Ferndale, MI.  Upon George’s death on February 21, 1997, Sharon moved to their retirement home in Interlochen, MI before moving again to Waterford Twp, MI.

 Sharon married Robert C. White on February 26, 2000, in Birmingham, MI.  Her family increased to include stepchildren Cheryl Goodwin, Brian White, R. Joel White, and Melissa White.  Bob and she loved traveling around Europe, Canada, and the United States prior to moving one last time to Clark Retirement Village in Grand Rapids, MI. 

 Sharon was preceded in death by her husbands, the Rev. George Spencer and Robert White; as well as her son-in-law, David Rancourt.  She is survived by her sister, Donna (Edward) Tucker; her children, Merrie Rancourt, George (Donna) Spencer, Brenda Spencer, and Martha Trexler; her stepchildren, Cheryl (Tom) Goodwin, Brian (Angelica) White, R. Joel (Pamela) White, and Melissa White; as well as 14 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.

 Per her request, no memorial service will be held.  Committal services will be privately held at a later date.

 Memorial tributes should be made to the charity of the giver’s choice.

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