Rev. Spencer Leonard Kilgore
December 17, 1944 – March 14, 2025
Rev. Spencer Kilgore made it home. And if Heaven has a fishing hole, we all know exactly where to find him-or maybe under the hood of a heavenly truck, wrench in hand, already fixing something.
He leaves behind a family that made him proud every single day. His grandchildren: Megan (Javier) Manzano, Logan Kilgore, Autumn Partridge, and Amber (Chayah) Hodge. His great-grandchildren, his absolute joy: Lilly Kilgore, Noah Kilgore, Isaiyah Hodge, Elijah Hodge, Eleanor Manzano, Miyah Hodge, Amelia Partridge, and Lucas Manzano. His special niece: Crystal (Nathan) Bolt. His sisters: Kathy Eldridge, Illane Deaton, and Ellen Casey. And an entire army of nieces, nephews, and extended family who will carry his love forward.
Just a few weeks ago, Spencer said goodbye to his beloved Marilyn, his wife of 64 years, and his heart was never quite the same. Now, he is with her again, walking the streets of gold. He is also reunited with his children, Melinda Sions, Eugene Kilgore, and Anthony Kilgore; his grandbaby, Miranda Bowman; his siblings, Gordon Kilgore and Eralee Sisson; and his parents, Kenny and Inez Kilgore. And we imagine it was a homecoming big enough to shake Heaven itself.
For 80 years, Spencer loved, built, fixed, and believed with his whole heart. He was a man who could fix anything-a car, a tractor, a broken fence, a broken spirit. But just as much as he loved fixing things, he loved fishing. If fishing had been a profession, he would have been a millionaire a hundred times over. Even hours before he passed, he was still scheming-trying to convince his granddaughters that he needed a new truck for fishing. Because that was Spencer. Always working, always planning his next trip to the lake, always believing that there was still one more thing to fix, one more fish to catch, one more day to enjoy. Spencer was a man of simple joys. Alabama football in the fall. NASCAR humming in the background while he “rested his eyes.” The sound of a reel spinning. The satisfaction of a job well done. He built, he worked, he loved, he served. And he never met an engine-or a person-he couldn’t fix with a little time, patience, and care.
Spencer’s favorite hymn was Victory in Jesus: “I heard an old, old story, how a Savior came from glory How He gave His life on Calvary to save a wretch like me I heard about His groaning, of His precious blood’s atoning Then I repented of my sins, and won the victory.” That was his testimony. Victory. Hard-earned, unwavering, steadfast victory. And now, he is standing in the presence of his Savior, fully healed, fully whole, fully home.
His Funeral Service will be Friday, March 21, at 11:00 AM at Albertville Memorial Chapel, with burial to follow at New Life Center Cemetery. Pastor Lewis Smith will officiate. Friends are welcome to visit from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM on Friday. Pallbearers will be Chayah Hodge, Javier Manzano, Lowery Duvall, Danny Cooper, Buddy Richardson, Tim Harper, Hunter Keener and Jason Bennett.
If you want to honor Spencer, here’s how. Fix something for someone who needs it. Tell a good story. Go fishing. And most of all, keep the faith. Because Spencer’s victory is won.
Arrangements are entrusted to Albertville Memorial Chapel.
