BETTY FRANCES SPENCE, 87, of Crisfield, died Sunday, August 1, 2010 at her home.

Born in Crisfield July 18, 1923, she was the only child of the late William "Tripp" and Anna Tyler Byrd. Her husband, Ralph Spence, preceded her in death in 1996.

She was a seamstress at the former His Nibbs in Crisfield and also worked at the former Mrs. Paul's Kitchen in Crisfield.

Her greatest joys were her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She loved them all unconditionally and loved to be with them and her grand-pets. She lived independently for 12 years in spite of being in a wheelchair and even recently attended her granddaughters wedding on July 3rd, and a birthday party on July 18th. She enjoyed reading, listening to country music, watching soaps and American Idol, going out to eat, shopping, and going to parades. She was always organized; she made lists for everything and she had a very sharp mind. She never forgot anyone or anything and always sent cards to family and friends for every occasion.

She is survived by two daughters, Valerie Swift and her husband Wayne and Kathy Somers, all of Crisfield; four grandchildren, Richard Lee Tyler, Jr., Toni Baker and her husband Jimmy, all of Crisfield, Kristen Moody and her husband John of Hebron and Holly Somers of Crisfield; four great-grandchildren, Eric Tyler of DE, Steven Tyler of NC, and Allen Baker and Austin Baker, both of Crisfield; a daughter-in-law, Sally Tyler of Crisfield; her cousins, Madeline Jones, Doris Eubanks, Anna Lee Eubanks, William David Byrd, Nola Scott, Roseanne Nelson, Lottie Matthews, and Bill Tyler, and their families; and her friends, Joyce Justice, Dot Sterling and Buster Nelson, all of Crisfield and Betty Ellis of Saxis.

The family sends special thanks to Home Health Nurse Barbara Morgan for her wonderful care, Dr. Usha Natesan and Staff, McCready Hospital, and Coastal Hospice.

Along with her parents and her husband, she was preceded in death by her son, Richard Lee Tyler in 2003.

Friends may call Wednesday, August 4, 2010 (today) from 12:30 until 1:30 PM at Bradshaw & Sons Funeral Home in Crisfield. Graveside funeral services and interment will follow at 2 PM in Asbury Cemetery in Crisfield. There will be a procession to the graveside. Rev. Bob Daniels will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are requested to be sent to American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 163, Salisbury, MD 21803 or National Kidney Foundation of Maryland, 1107 Kenilworth Drive, Suite 202, Baltimore, MD 21204.

To send condolences, please visit www.bradshawandsonsfuneralhome.com