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Submitted: 9/24/13 • Approved: 8/14/14 • Last Updated: 1/29/17 • R930108-G0-S3
George Lloyd Spencer
March 27, 1893 - January 14, 1981
Politician Senator Veteran Banker Farmer
George Lloyd Spencer was born in Sarcoxie, Jasper County, Missouri to George Spencer and Louella Riley Spencer. His family moved to Okolona, Clark County, Arkansas in 1902. He attended public schools and then Peddie Institute at Highstown, New Jersey and Henderson-Brown College in Arkadelphia, Clark County, Arkansas.
In 1918 he served in the US Navy as a Seaman Second Class during World War I. In 1919 he married Florence N “Bunnie” Hays.
They moved to Hope, Hempstead County, Arkansas in 1921. There he became very active in banking and farming. He served in many jobs in the banking business and was chosen president of the Arkansas Bankers Association in 1939.
Due to his popularity with the Democratic party, in 1941 he was appointed U S senator by Governor Homer M Adkins. He filled the vacancy of John E Miller, when Senator Miller was appointed a federal judge by President Franklin D Roosevelt. He served in that capacity from 1 April 1941 - 3 January 1942. He served on many committees while in Washington: Post Office, Claims, Banking, and War Plant inspection.
He was one of the directors when the American Legion at Hope endeavored to serve the needs of the U S Army soldiers during the large scale maneuvers of over 40,000 troops in southern Arkansas and Louisiana. He was instrumental in initiating a Post Office, just for the soldiers, who were able to mail letters and postcards to family and friends before they deployed.
Spencer served as Lieutenant Commander in US Naval Reserve from 1931 - 1943, in 1943 he served again in the US Navy during World War II.
After the war he returned to his farming and
rejoined the banking business. In 1965 was elected as Chairman of the First Nation Bank Board of Directors until he retied in 1977, but continued to act as an adviser to the bank.
He served his community in many ways: board of directors for the Southwest Water District, Hope Water and Light Commission, president of the Red River Valley Association, member of the board of directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of St Louis, member of the board of directors of Arkansas/Louisiana Gas Company and member of the Official board of the First United Methodist Church.
He died in Hope, and He and his wife are buried Rosehill Gardens in Hope, Hempstead County, Arkansas.
Sources: Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture, Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
Photo in Public Domain
Contributed on 9/24/13
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Record #: 930108