It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Elizabeth Wright Catlin Spencer, (Betty), 94, of Winchester, Kentucky, who passed peacefully on Thursday, May 19, 2022. Betty was a beloved mother, grandmother, aunt, and great grandmother. Born on July 26, 1927, to Wilma C. (Dickey) and Douglas Wright Catlin in McComb, Mississippi. In 1933, the family moved to Paducah, Kentucky with their beloved stepfather Cecil Ray McEwen. Betty was a graduate of Paducah Tilghman High School and The University of Kentucky. She was a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority. She earned her Master’s in Library Science at The University of Kentucky.
She moved to Winchester with her husband, Hubbard Spencer in 1950 and was extremely active in the community throughout her life. She was a member of the Garden Club, Fine Arts, Fortnightly and Study Club as well as a board member, volunteer, and part of the design committee for the New Clark County Public Library. She was also a member of the International Library Association. Throughout her career she was a librarian at Conkwright Jr High School. Her passion was reading, and being an avid bridge player. She enjoyed her garden, birds, family, and many close friends, especially those who were part of her “Steel Magnolias.” She was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church and a member of the Presbyterian Women’s Group.
Betty never missed an opportunity to travel. She traveled throughout Europe/Great Britain, Australia/New Zealand, with her husband and with her friends. She was a strong, loving, confident and enthusiastic woman who was always challenging her mind and those around her. She gave her children the confidence, love, and support to grow up to be their own person without losing herself. She was a role model and supporter for so many of the people around her.
Elizabeth was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Hubbard B Taylor Spencer Jr., her parents, Wilma and Ray McEwen, Douglas Catlin, and sister Doris Wiley (George).
She is survived by her three children: Elizabeth Catlin Spencer; Hubbard B Taylor Spencer III, and his wife Sue, their four children; Taylor (Courtney) Spencer, Ethan (Kadee) Spencer, Kim (Todd) McCord, Kelly Scanlan and John Spencer and his wife Regina and their two children, Catlin Spencer Craig (Adam) and Tom Spencer.
She cherished all her great-grandchildren, Spencer, Andrew, and Abby McCord, Natalie Spencer, and Grace Mayes, Emmett Craig, and Elliott Craig. Betty also loved as family Natasha Yocum and Angie McKinney. They were like daughters to her, and she looked forward to everyday with them. Towards the end of her life, we must thank all her nurses, physical & occupational therapists from Amedisys. She would light up when they came for a visit. (Chris, Steve, Tim, Brandon, and Teresa, plus many others). Thank you to all the special friends that contributed to her long life and happiness.
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to the Clark County Public Library and the First Presbyterian Church of Winchester.
Friends may call between 5:00 and 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 26, 2022, and the funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 27, 2022. Both the visitation and funeral service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Winchester, located at 130 Windridge Drive. Rolan G. Taylor Funeral Home will be responsible for the arrangements.