Rodney Lee “Rod” Spessert, age 70 years, a resident of Shavers Fork Road near Parsons, WV, departed this life early Thursday morning, June 22, 2017 at his home, surrounded by his loving family and under the care of West Virginia Caring. He had been in declining health following a courageous battle with leukemia.
He was born June 6, 1947 at home on Location, St. George, WV a son of the late George William Spessert, Jr. and Reva Faye Kisner.
In the summer of 1990, Rodney reconnected with an old high school friend, Martha J. Allender Brown Spessert at their 25th high school reunion, and on June 29, 1991 they married at Mt. Carmel Church at Location, WV.
Surviving is his loving wife, Martha J. Allender Brown Spessert of Shavers Fork Road, WV; one son, William P. “Bill” Spessert of Elkins, WV; two step-sons, Robert Brown and wife Amber of Charleston, WV and Thomas Brown and wife Tonya of Salem, VA; five step-grandchildren, Melissa Brown of Fairmont, WV, Savanna Brown, Ruark Brown, and Nadia Brown of Charleston, WV, Conlan Brown of Salem, VA; two sisters, Rosalita Williams and husband Denver of Ballard, WV, and Rebecca Spessert of Location, WV; two brothers, Carl Spessert and wife Janet of Montrose and Tony Spessert and wife Christina of Connecticut.
Preceding him in death is an infant sister, Deborah.
Rodney loved spending his Saturdays at his farm and his Sundays at church. Born and raised on a farm, he was dedicated to raising cows and tending to his mules. Beef was what was always for dinner. He always spent the week of Thanksgiving hunting and any free time fishing. He was a member of the former Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church growing up and continued his faith at St. George United Methodist Church. Rod proudly served his country in the U.S Army during the Vietnam era. He always loved a good joke, westerns, and the Mountaineers. A loving husband, wonderful father, and extraordinary grandfather. He was hardworking and always provided for his family. Throughout his life he worked at various sawmills and his last place of employment was the West Virginia Department of Highways.
The Family received friends at the Lohr & Barb Funeral Home of Parsons, WV on Sunday from 5 to 8 p.m. Final rites were conducted at the funeral home on Monday, June 26, 2017 at 11 a.m. The Rev. Brad Barton officiated and interment followed at the Parsons Family Cemetery at Shavers Fork, Kerens, WV, where the WV National Guard, Army Guard, the H.W. Daniels Post #29 American Legion, the Tygart Valley Post #3647 Veterans of Foreign War and the Tucker County Veterans Association conducted full military honors.
The family suggest that expressions of sympathy be in the form of contributions to the Rosenbaum Family House, PO Box 8228, Morgantown, WV 26506. The Lohr & Barb Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements for Rodney Lee “Rod” Spessert. Condolences may be expressed to the family at; www.lohrbarbfuneralhome.com
