James "Buddy" Spence

Memorial services with Military Honors for James "Buddy" Tillman Spence, age 79, of Cookeville, will held Saturday April 14 at 1:00 p.m. at the Cookeville Chapel of Hooper-Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home. Bro. Joe Williams and Randy Porter will officiate His family will receive friends Saturday from 11 a.m. until service time at the funeral home. Mr. Spence died Tuesday morning, April 10, 2018 at his home. He was born February 27, 1939 in Murfreesboro, TN to the late Jessie Tillman Spence and Sarah Mae Lamb Spence Endsley. He was a 1957 graduate of Central High and attended MTSU. He was a member of the National Guard for six years and was a US Army Veteran, serving from 1958-60. Buddy's career in insurance spanned 37 years. He was employed with National Life when he moved to Cookeville in 1980. He retired in 2001 while working as General Manager of American General Life Insurance Company. He earned designations that included LUTCF, GMAC, ChFC, Past President of NALU and CLU. Buddy was a family man and people person. His integrity and outgoing and gregarious nature endeared him to his family and many friends. He was of the Church of Christ faith. He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Pat Love Spence; daughters, Rhonda Spence Curley of Dover, DE, Sara Spence of Charlotte, NC and Kim Ashburn of Smithville, TN; son, Dr. Tim Ashburn of Chickamauga, GA; grandchildren, Justin Curley, Corey Curley and Kristin (Brian) Collison, Amber (Jeremiah) Keisling, Elizabeth Spence, Jaime Spence, Emily Spence, Spencer Williams, Chloe Williams, Hope Hesse, Paige Garrett, Anna Grace Ashburn, Jeremy Ashburn and Tess Ashburn; 17 great grandchildren; brothers, Edward (Connie) Spence of Jackson, TN and Gary (Susan) Endsley of Ocala, FL; special friend, Carlton Taylor and by his beloved dog, Bruiser. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by son, James Tillman Spence, II and sister, Doris Faye Neely. Memorial contributions may be made to Putnam Co. Animal Shelter, 2650 Gainesboro Grade, Cookeville, TN 38501. Hooper Huddleston and Horner Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. (931)526-6111 You may share your thoughts and memories at www.hhhfunerals.com