Martha Spencer passes

Mary Elizabeth Spencer, 1925-2014Martha Spencer, long-time matriarch of The Spencer Family bluegrass Gospel show, passed away on August 29 at the age of 89.

She and her husband, Mitchell, toured as The Spencer Family for more than 40 years from their home in Kentucky, and left a legacy of recordings in their wake. They are regarded as among the first groups to blend southern Gospel and bluegrass music starting in the 1960s.

As a tribute to their life in music, this video overview was created for their being presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Gospel Music Association in 2013.

 

Martha is survived by her husband, Mitchell and a large family of children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

R.I.P., Martha Spencer.

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John Lawless

John had served as primary author and editor for The Bluegrass Blog from its launch in 2006 until being folded into Bluegrass Today in September of 2011. He continues in that capacity here, managing a strong team of columnists and correspondents.