Keliah "Kelli" Ruth Spencer's Obituary
Keliah “Kelli” Ruth Spencer was born March 28, 1965 in Reno Nevada to Larry Dale Sparks and Margaret Mae Salge. Kelli’s birth name was Michelle. In her late 30s she changed her name to Keliah Spencer and was sometimes known as “Spence.” In 2017 she adopted the nickname “Kelli” due to a story written about her in the book “You Are the Mother Your Children Need” by Christine Gardiner. At the age of 12 Kelli suffered a serious brain injury. This brain damage made life very difficult for her. In 1984 she gave birth to a daughter, Janice. A few years later Janice was adopted by Kelli’s mother. Soon afterwards Kelli began her life in adult foster care for the mentally disabled. She moved to Medford Oregon where she joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She later was endowed in the Portland Oregon Temple. She lived in Oregon for 12 years then moved to Washington state briefly and then to California where she was reunited with her mother and daughter. Not long after arriving in California her mother passed away. Kelli moved away and lost all contact with her daughter. In 2011 Kelli moved to Utah. She lived in several Utah cities and has loved living in Provo. Most of all Kelli loved serving in the temple as often as her health allowed. The Mount Timpanogos Temple was near one of her homes. She used her motorized chair and took herself to the temple as often as she could. Because Kelli had lost her family, she “adopted” many family members calling them grandma and grandpa, brother and sister, mom and dad. Kelli also had 2 dolls she called “her boys.” She knew they were dolls, but loved talking to them and about them as if they were real. She had Marcus for many years and most recently “adopted” Jackson. A friend now has the boys. Kelli leaves behind her loving fiancé Leland Abbe. They were recently engaged and had set June 26th as their wedding date. Kelli is also survived by many friends who also “adopted” her and loved her. Kelli’s brain damage caused her many struggles in life. Her heart was desirous to do good and to be good. She struggled tolerating anything she felt was unfair or unkind. This tendency often caused problems with those who worked with her and served her. In the end, Kelli taught us how to love, even when loving someone is difficult. Kelli loved her Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ. She had a personal relationship with Them that was reflected in her faith and testimony. She is now free of the chains of mental illness. She is running free in the fields of her Father’s love. Kelli, you are a precious daughter of God who left your footprints on our hearts. We love you.
Services will be held Saturday May 8th, 4:00 p.m. Provo Cemetery 610 S. State Street; Provo, UT.
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