Spence, Archie, Jr., 55 of Pleasantville, passed away on November 15, 2012. If Rev. Spence could speak for himself he would tell us like the Apostle Paul “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” Archie’s race started when he was born the only son of Arline Dobson Spence Braithwaite and Archie Emory Spence, Sr. Archie was educated in the Atlantic City School System and very early in his schooling discovered he loved learning. It is here that Archie began his love affair with books and knowledge. An affair that would lead him to many interim occupations until he found the one God had prepared him to be; the ministry. Archie was baptized at Asbury United Methodist Church and learned his Christian education through Sunday school, Youth Fellowship, Acolytes, and Youth Choir. As a young man, he took on greater responsibilities in the church, by becoming a lay speaker, summer camp counselor and trustee. All this time and studying the Bible and learning about the Methodist Church. It’s here the seed for ministry was planted. He was in close relationship with pastors of the church who mentored him and allowed him to assist them. Retired bishop, Bishop Noah Moore took Archie under his wing and taught him about the ministry. After he completed lay speaker’s school, Rev. Wilkes gave Archie an opportunity to help him at Venice Park UMC, allowing him to preach. Shortly after that he went to Local Pastor’s School and was licensed to preach. On his journey to the ministry, Archie held many jobs. These jobs put food on the table; however the ministry feed his body and fulfilled his soul. After Archie completed Local Pastor’s School, Archie continued serving the Lord by serving as interim pastor at Hamilton UMC and Jethro Presbyterian Church and special projects at Asbury UMC such as Project Choice, a teen drug awareness program and guest pastor. He was also ordained in the AME Church as a local pastor and served as assistant pastor at Allen AME Church, Calvary Baptist Church, and Christ Worship Center Worldwide. His last ministerial assignment was as pastor of the Touch of Glory Mission International Church, Croydon, Pennsylvania. All of these opportunities gave Archie a powerful voice for God. His love of the great hymns of the church was an asset to his preaching. As a young man, he had observed many gifted pastors and he used their nuances until he had developed his own kind of creativityRev. Archie had a joyful spirit that even when he was gravely ill, he had the ability to make us feel better and encouraged. When asked ; “How are you?” He would reply; “I’m persevering, God is Good!” He left Terri Spence, his wife; his Daddy, Archie E. Spence, Sr. and wife, Barbara; his sisters, Cathy Woody Rabb, and Bonita Spence; his step-sister Rhea Burch; his step-brother Bronte Walker; Grandmother Anna Mae DeShields; his children, Asia Allen, Nathaniel Carter, Christopher Carter, Kevin Williams, Tashieka Williams, Keith Robinson, Shakeem Young, Sakinah Young, and Steven; and grandchildren. Rev. Spence is also survived by a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. A funeral service will be held on Monday, November 26, 2012 at 11:00am at Asbury United Methodist Church, 1213 Pacific Avenue, Atlantic City. A visitation will be held from 9:30am until the time of the service at the church. Interment will follow.