Obituary of Matlene Spencer

Matlene "Mattie" Spencer, 79, died unexpectedly on September 21, 2021, at Virtua - Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Camden, NJ. Matlene, the eldest of five children, was born on January 9, 1942, in Barnwell County, South Carolina to Roy Henry Hankerson and Ella Bethel. Matlene was 12 years old when her family moved to Philadelphia, PA. Matlene graduate from Kensington High School for girls in Philadelphia, class of January 1961. Matlene with her jolly disposition and her faithful "Hello" served her school as Hall and Lunchroom Monitor, Fire Marshall, as a Gym Leader, and as messenger. She was in the YWCA, in the Social Club, Dance Club, and Newspaper Club. After graduating from high school, Matlene sought work in the medical profession where she met Robert Spencer, Jr., in 1962 at Boulevard Nursing Home. Their courtship lasted two years, then on December 19, 1964, they would marry and remain so, for 56 years. After they were married Matlene and Robert would move to Willingboro, NJ in 1974, where Matlene began working as Certified Nurse’s Assistant (CNA) at Burlington Woods Nursing Home. She ended her career as a Restorative Aid at Burlington Woods by retiring in 2010, after decading her life to the aid of many of Burlington County residents. Matlene would grow her family by giving birth to three children. Rodney Kevin Spencer - 55, Lisa Monique Spencer-Pittman - 52, and Darren Lamont Spencer - 49. Matlene's children were her world, and she did not hesitate to tell everyone she knew of how proud she was of their many individual accomplishments. Matlene, in her past time loved to dance and was the Queen of the North Philly Bop, Cha Cha, two step, strand and a host of various line dances. She would pack the house every Sunday at Foster Military Lodge on Charleston Road in Willingboro, NJ., with many of her beloved friends and family. Matlene leaves to mourn her passing: her beloved husband Robert Spencer, Jr., three children, Rodney, Lisa Pittman, and Darren, seven grandchildren, Marquise, Lamont, Jasmine, Deajanae, Troy Jr., Jashanti and Tiahna; one great grandchild Azailee, Sister Juliette Hankerson-Moore and Son-In-Law Troy Pittman, Sr.