Harold Gene Spake, 80 went to be with his heavenly father on September

26, 2017. He was born July 6, 1937 in Shelby, NC the son of the late

Charles and Ruth Hamilton Spake. He is also pre-deceased by his loving

wife of 56 years, Margaret Lemons Spake, siblings Charles (Sonny) Spake

Jr., Jimmie Spake, Thomas Spake, Helen Harvey and Margaret Ross.

Rev. Spake began his ministry 55 years ago in Shelby. His first church was

Grace Temple Independent Baptist in Chesnee, SC. His energetic style of

preaching and deep belief was a catalyst for many people being led to the

Lord during his ministry. He was always looking for ways to show,

particularly young people, that you can live a Christian life and still have

fun. He also pastored for many years at Ocean Highway Baptist Church in

Wilmington, NC and numerous other churches over his career. His last

years were spent ministering to inmates in different prisons and nursing

homes. He was truly a man of God that believed in and tried to live by the

scriptures. He loved being a preacher.

He also had a deep love of family. Staying connected to his daughters,

grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He enjoyed having and going to

yard sales haggling for a good deal and looking after his plants. He looked

forward to talking to Preacher Gibbs almost everyday sharing silly jokes

and talking with his brothers Bill and David. He always said he could never

find a steak as delicious as the ones Brother Willam Wilson made. Now he

will. He couldn't hear well and would forget who he was talking to or about

sometimes but he always smiled and laughed and looked forward to getting

out for just a little bit and seeing people.

He is survived by his daughters, Terry Jean Dzedzej, husband Richard of

Fort Myers, FL. Marlena Spake Franklin, husband John of Eutawville, SC.

Grandchildren: Jessica Hutto, Amanda Morris, Tessa Morris, Ty Morris,

Stephanie Morris. Great Grandchildren: Christopher Carrington, Alex

Carrington, McKenzie Carrington, Taylor Lippold, Tyler Morris, Mikayla

Morris, Wensdae Lowe. His brothers Bill Spake of Fallston, NC David

Spake of Bessemer City, NC

Family will receive friends at Clay Barnett Funeral Home in Shelby, NC

Saturday October 21st from 10 - 11:00 am with services following

immediately after. Service will be officiated by his life long friends Rev. Carl

Gibbs, Rev. Albert Hardin and William Wilson. Burial will be at Patterson

Springs Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers family request donations be made to your local

Alzheimer's Foundation or Hope Hospice Diplomatic Road Cape Coral FL.