Bulah Jean Shortridge Spence, 75, of Lebanon TN died August 26, 2025. “Sister Jean” Spence, daughter of Paul and Margie Shortridge and loving wife of Rev. Clifford Spence, passed away peacefully at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in the early morning on Tuesday from complications of heart and kidney failure.
She is survived by her son David (Dana) Spence, her mother Margie Shortridge, sisters Martha Salyer, Mary Ann Shumate, and Pauline (Doug) Cline, and grandchildren Kelly Spence, Emily Spence, and Audrey Spence. She is preceded in death by her father Paul Shortridge, her husband Rev. Cliff Spence, and her son, Jonathan Spence.
Jean loved to worship through song. In early childhood, her father taught her and her sisters to sing harmony while he played the guitar. Jean learned to play music by ear, and became a church pianist at 10 years old. After marrying a preacher at 17, she spent her life encouraging people throughout their 50+ years of ministry together. As a working mom with 2 kids, she earned her degree in music from Virginia Intermont College. Jean was a middle school band teacher and she taught elementary school with her K-8 certification.
Her chosen family was the Alexandria Church of God where she was a member, Pastor’s wife, Pastor’s widow, pianist, and cherished soul for the last 30 plus years.
Visitation for Sister Jean will be held at the Ministry Center at 1007 Hartsville Pike in Lebanon TN on Thursday afternoon from 5 pm until 8 pm. Visitation will also be from 9 am until 10 am just prior to the Celebration of Life service at the Ministry Center beginning at 10 am. Brother Chad Coppinger will conduct the service. Immediately following the service, interment will be at Hunter Memorial Park in Watertown TN.
Sellars Funeral Home, Lebanon TN, 615.444.9393.
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This obituary was published by Sellars Funeral Home.
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