Virlin Edward (Ed) Spivey

Virlin Edward (Ed) Spivey, formerly of Vincennes, IN and St. Augustine, FL, passed away peacefully in Darlington, South Carolina on April 20, 2025. He was 100 years old. He led a long life, filled with love for his family and Christ-like service to his church, his community, and his country. Born in Sikeston, Missouri on October 8, 1924, to Nancy Dona (Martin) and Elmes Hilton Spivey, he was preceded in death by his loving wife of 73 years, Wanda Gail (Richards) Spivey in 2020. He is survived by his three children, Virlin Edward (Tricia) Spivey Jr. of Washington D.C., Gail (John) Veale of Darlington, SC, and Richard (Nanette) Spivey of Florence, SC. “Pappaw” was also beloved by his seven grandchildren, Colleen (Adrian) Spivey, Christopher (Kelci) Veale, Kate (Damaso) Spivey, Sara (Brett) Hickman, Kyle (Megan) Spivey, Brent (Danielle) Spivey, Samuel (Cassy) Spivey, and 21 great-grandchildren. Ed grew up in a large family during the depression, which shaped his resolve for the value of hard work, personal integrity, and caring for your fellow man. He worked many jobs as a youth to help the family—shined shoes, delivered newspapers, milked cows, delivered milk—and also learned carpentry from his father, a skill he applied throughout his life helping build homes for relatives and doing renovations at church. Eager to serve his nation during World War II, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1943 at the age of 18, and was assigned to the original crew of the U.S.S. New Jersey. He was on board during the battleship’s commissioning in May of that year, and served 27 months of continuous sea duty in the Pacific as a turret gunner. He was on board when the New Jersey sailed into Tokyo Harbor in September, 1945, shortly after the official end of the war with Japan. Before his death, he was one of his ship’s oldest surviving “plank owners.” Ed married Wanda May 17, 1947 and began working at JCPenney in Sikeston, Missouri, starting as a shoe salesman. His enthusiasm for his new career in retail soon caught the attention of his supervisors and he quickly rose through management positions, transferring from small and medium-sized stores in Missouri to his final assignment in the much larger JCPenney in Vincennes, Indiana. In each of these communities Ed left his mark, helping build church congregations and investing in local development efforts. He was in leadership positions with Kiwanis, Lions Club, Chamber of Commerce, Salvation Army, Red Cross, and the YMCA. Always full of energy, he worked hard, walked fast, and gave his all to running his stores and encouraging the best out of his employees. And they loved him for it. He retired after 36 years in 1984. Through his years of civic engagement, he was known for bringing people together. Whether it was raising money to build a new YMCA, supporting the other local merchants, flipping pancakes for the annual Kiwanis pancake breakfast, delivering Wanda’s homemade Christmas cookies to police and fire fighters, or opening his family’s home to church fellowships, Ed was definitely Mr. Hospitality. And in every town he lived in he was an active member of his church, serving as a deacon, Sunday School teacher, choir member, and supporting the congregation during the week with his hands and his spirit. He and his wife were original members of Ridgecrest Baptist Church in Vincennes, and active in Anastasia Baptist Church, in St. Augustine, Florida, where he and Wanda lived for 22 years. In 2016 they moved to Bethea Retirement Community in Darlington, South Carolina. At Bethea, they were both members of the Bethea Baptist Church. Ed always had a smile for everyone, a firm handshake, and his positive energy was contagious. If you asked him how he was, he would seldom fail to answer, “Super!”, even when he might not feel that way. This quickly led to his being known as “Mr. Super” at Bethea. A faithful Christian servant throughout his life, his joyful presence in this world will be deeply missed. He is survived by his sister, Patricia Hooker. He was preceded in death by his sisters Marjorie Hopkins, Elsie Russell, Delcia Bagwell, Jenna Allen, and brothers James Spivey, Merlin Spivey and Richard Spivey. A life remembrance service and military funeral will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to a charity of one’s choice. The Directors of Kistler Hardee Funeral Home are honored to be serving the Spivey family.

Virlin Edward (Ed) Spivey

October 8, 1924 - April 20, 2025