Spence Donaldson Prichard

Spence Donaldson Prichard, 87, of Cleveland, passed away Saturday, October 15, 2022 in a local hospital. 

He was a 1953 graduate of Polk County High School.   After graduation, he worked for a bit in Chicago until he and some friends decided to go to the Army because there was “nothing better to do”.  He served two years in Germany with the 101^st Airborne.   He returned to Cleveland and attended business school and started his 43-year career at Hardwick Clothes.

He was a member of Westwood Baptist Church for over 56 years where he taught Sunday School, served as a deacon and usher, and sat on numerous committees.   He is most widely known as being a greeter, where it has been rumored, he has opened over 35,000 doors for people arriving at church.

He was proceeded in death by his wife of nearly 62 years, Nina Prichard; parents, Willie Prichard and Abbie Cavett Prichard; and brothers, Dewey Prichard, Willie Prichard, and Buddy Prichard.

He is survived by his two sons Steve Prichard of Nashville, TN, and Scott Prichard (Michele) of Huntsville, AL; one granddaughter, Lily Prichard, and one grandson, Benji Prichard; and sisters, Ruth Widner of Corbin, KY, and Betty Johnson of Athens, TN. 

A celebration of his life will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Thursday, October 20, 2022 in the chapel of Ralph Buckner Funeral Home and Crematory with Dr. Steve Smartt and Pastor Paul Davis officiating.  Interment will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens with military honors, a white dove release ceremony, and the playing of bagpipes concluding the service.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 19, 2022 at the funeral home.

The family would like to thank the staff of Legacy Assisted Living for all the care and compassion they have shown to our Dad over the past two years.

We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Prichard family guestbook at www.ralphbuckner.com.