MARYLAND, Aug. 20 – Thelma Mae Deal (Spence), 83, of Lexington Park, MD, died Tuesday, August 18, 2009. Born in Elkton, she was the daughter of Leedy C. Shifflett and Nettie Crawford Shifflett. She retired as an Office Manager for NSPE (National Society of Professional Engineers).

Mrs. Deal attended school in Elkton and was married twice, to Glenn Spence and John Henry Deal. She raised her family in the Oxen Hill and Clinton areas of Prince George County. She belonged to the choir of Beulah United Methodist Church and the Abilene Home-makers Club prior to her move to Maryland. She enjoyed many St. Mary's County Senior activities with friends in her Lexington Park community. She also loved to crochet and was a hospital volunteer.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Deal was preceded in death by a son, Stephen Spence.

She is survived by her children, Gerald Spence (Shirley) of Waldorf, MD, Patricia Neilsen of Charlotte Court House, Gwen Estep (Alden) of Mechanicsville, MD, Clifford Spence (Freda) of Ft. Washington, MD, Bonnie Squires (Bill) of Ft. Washington, MD, Richard Spence (Dana) of Indian Trails, NC and Kathye Herndon of Charlotte Court House, 18 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.

A Life Celebration will be held Friday, August 21, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the Brinsfield-Echols Funeral Home, P.A., Charlotte Hall, MD.

A service will be held Saturday at the Brinsfield-Echols Chapel at 10 a.m. Interment will be private.

Brinsfield-Echols Chapel Funeral Home, Maryland, is serving the family.