Melinda Kay Spencer

Melinda K Spencer, 66, of Irmo SC passed away on Tuesday, December 29, after a brief illness at Lexington Medical Center in Columbia SC.

Melinda was born March 4, 1954, in Gastonia NC and was preceded in death by her parents, Margaret Howard Spencer and Sheldon Whitesides Spencer. She is survived by her sister Shelda Spencer Rees and brother-in-law Joe of Chattanooga TN.

Melinda was a public school music teacher in Charleston and Bishopville SC for 40 years and had just retired in June. She loved teaching and especially working with her gifted and talented students and her choral music groups.

She graduated from Hunter Huss High School, Converse College in Spartanburg SC, and received her Masters Degree in Music Therapy at the University of Georgia, Athens. She earned her national teacher certificate while battling breast cancer and was teacher of the year twice in the Lee County School District.

Melinda was always busy and enjoyed working in the summers at the SC State Museum as well as a volunteer at the Riverbanks Zoo. She was a founding member of the Herb Bunch and officer. Also prior to Covid she was a part-time artist for the Wine and Design Studio in Columbia SC. She love teaching others to paint. But Melinda's greatest joy was spending time with her border collie Miss Molly. She will be missed by her many friends and family.

Due to Covid restrictions a Graveside Memorial Service will take place at Pisgah ARP Church Cemetery located at 3600 Linwood Rd., Gastonia NC on Saturday, January 9 at 2:00 PM for all friends and family. Masks are required.

Because of her love of kids, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ronald McDonald House at

www.rmhChattanooga.com