Obituary for Eldora Woodard Spencer
Mrs. Eldora Woodard Spencer, 88, of Little Rock, AR (formerly Chicago, IL) departed this life on Friday, May 11, 2018. Eldora Woodard Spencer was born on September 11,1929 in England, Arkansas. She was the second child born to Rev. James S. and Timotheus (Raynor) Woodard.
At an early age she met and married Albert Crump and to this union two daughters were born, Juanita and Oneida. Eldora was a Pastor's kid with a rebellious spirit but some of her favorite stories were told through her Dad’s eyes in his sermons. It was clear that she was a favorite student of his.
Dora, as she was affectionately called, was uncomfortable in the South and early on she had dreams of going North. She left high school early and got that opportunity by working in a shoe factory in St. Louis at an early age. One of her talents was singing and she often demonstrated how she sang to the Troops on Scott Air Force base near St. Louis. It was there that she met her lifelong friend Mr. Robert Williams, who was referred to as Grandpa Robert. While in St. Louis, she met and married Tommie Lee Spencer, and to that union one son was born, Tommie Leveal.
Dora, later moved further North to Chicago. Originally Dora got jobs in “day work.” All of her clients were amazed at how far she would travel and how hard she worked but they all said, when Dora cleaned your house, it was clean. Eventually she had a wonderful career in food design. It was there she was able to showcase her culinary skills and her love for decorating. Momma Dora did these things to perfection. She often recited “do it well or not at all.” Everything from cooking, to cleaning, to decorating was with excellence. She just had an eye for color and for decorating. She took great pride in her home, and making you feel welcome. Talking about the gift of hospitality…she had it. Often her food designs and culinary skills were featured in Good Housekeeping and Better Homes and Gardens. It was amazing to see her create something at home, and then take it to the studio so that the photographers would get the perfect shot! We loved Christmas time, and her fabulous decorations. Her home embodied the spirit of the season with every room decorated in Christmas colors of red, green and gold.
When Dora retired she had the opportunity to help take care of her youngest grandchildren Tito, Tasia and Santina. Tito, was referred to as a son not a grandson. Tasia and SanTina had to learn how to cook, make beds, and they enjoyed walking up to Michigan Avenue for the Saturday stroll. She often said Tasia always has a book in her hand, and that Tina has a lot of common sense. She got that right too. Tito, to the end had a special place in her heart. True to his calling as a Marine, he protected and loved his grandmother unconditionally.
Dora’s parents and four siblings preceded her in death.
Left to treasure her memories are her three children, Juanita (Paul); Oneida, and Tommie and a host of grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 am, Monday, May 21, 2018 at First Baptist Church Highland Park, 3800 W. 18th Street, Little Rock, AR. Visitation 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm, Sunday, May 20, 2018 at the funeral home. Interment Rest in Peace Memorial Gardens in Hensley, AR.
Services entrusted to Larry G. Acklin Funeral Home, 8821 Colonel Glenn, Little Rock, AR. “IN YOUR TIME OF NEED….WE CARE.”
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