Nina Brown Spencer

Nina Brown Spencer was called home to spend eternity with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Monday, August 19, at the age of 94. Born December 12, 1930, in Hamlin, Arkansas, Nina was the beloved daughter of Paul and Georgia Holt Brown, and the youngest of nine children. She was welcomed into a close-knit family by her eight siblings: Carson Brown, William Brown, Laurel Ellis, Beryl Thomas, Doyl Brown, Mildred Bostic, Richard Brown, and Doris Kerksieck. On December 31, 1953, Nina married Noble Spencer, and together they shared 50 beautiful years of marriage until his passing in 2004. Their union was a testament to selfless love and dedication, and they touched countless lives through their service to others. Noble and Nina were the proud parents of two daughters, Lisa (Terry) Twyford and Lana (Steve) Gately, and the cherished grandparents of Haisley Hunter, Seth Gately, Elizabeth (David) Kaylor, Hannah (Nic) Graves, and Spencer Gately. She also delighted in her nine great-grandchildren: Ethan (Kailee) Holden, Sage Gately, Abby Graves, Lexi Graves, Stella Gately, Hunter Graves, Troy Blanks, Noble Kaylor, and Victor Hunter; two bonus grandchildren, Christa (Ben) Gibson and Matthew (Vanessa; Ava Kate and Chloe) Twyford; and dear friends Mary Jo Martinsen, Suellen Dial, and Ann Wooten. Nina graduated from Wynne High School in 1946 at the young age of 16. She attended beauty school in Jonesboro and worked for many years at Brown’s Beauty Salon before serving as a substitute teacher and migrant tutor for Wynne Public Schools. She had a gift for making meaningful connections and never forgetting a name or a face, leaving a lasting impact on everyone she met. She committed her days to helping others, volunteering in numerous capacities across the community. A lifelong Methodist, Nina cherished her church family and faithfully served through the years. She served as secretary for the CrossRidge Community Hospital Auxiliary and was honored as the 2016 Arkansas Auxilian of the Year. She initiated a program providing blankets for cancer patients across Cross County, personally delivering over 400 blankets with prayer and compassion. She served as president of the Cross County Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors and was an active member of the Town & Country Garden Club. For her unwavering dedication, she was named the 2017 Cross County Volunteer of the Year. Nina’s life was a testament to love, kindness, and service. Her deep faith, generous spirit, and tireless commitment to her family, friends, and community will be remembered by all who knew her. Let us honor her legacy by following her example to love, serve, and cherish one another. To continue the prayer blanket ministry in her honor, memorial contributions may be made to the CrossRidge Hospital Auxiliary, c/o Sondra Dowdle, 901 Cleveland Street, Wynne, Arkansas. Visitation will be held on Friday, August 22, 2025, at Kernodle Funeral Home, from 10 to 11 AM. Funeral services will immediately follow at 11 AM. Burial will be in Cogbill Cemetery. Kernodle Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. You may sign an online guestbook at www.kernodlefh.com

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Nina Brown Spencer

December 12, 1930 - August 19, 2025