Barbara Spencer, SCN, 90, (formerly Sister Mary Bridget) was born January 31, 1935, in Tupelo, Miss., to Jack and Ruth Spencer. She was the second of three children with an older brother, Douglas and a younger sister, Dorothy. After her father’s early death, she was raised by her step-father Joseph Cottingham. She died October 8, 2025, in Louisville, Ky. She was a Sister of Charity of Nazareth for 68 years.
Sister Barbara was a primary teacher for many years, teaching young students at St. Thomas More, Holy Name, and St. Cecilia in Louisville; St Mary in St. Clairsville, Ohio and St. Joseph in Bowling Green; and St. Peter Home in Memphis, Tenn. From 1969-1976 she was principal at St. Michael in Memphis.
When she finished her principalship at St. Michael’s, Sister Barbara moved to West Memphis to be supportive of Sister Theresa Knabel who was in ministry at St. Patrick’s, a downtown parish in the heart of the city. Their rental home on Orleans Street became the gathering place for the Priests and Sisters of St. Patrick’s.
In the fall of 1976 Sister Barbara began serving the Diocese of Memphis in the Office of Religious Education where she was religious education consultant and supervisor of the parish religious education for children. During this time, she had the opportunity to study at Seattle University in Seattle, Washington as she prepared for her master’s in religious education which she received in 1979.
Sister Barbara began a new phase of her ministry in 1980 when she joined the staff at Dogwood Villages (now called Youth Villages), a non-profit organization whose mission is to help troubled children and families live successfully. As Director of Education for eighty youth, Sister Barbara served as advocate for these youth by working with teachers and counselors.
Her honors include becoming the first recipient of the Clarence Day Legacy Award given by Youth Villages each year to a person who has dedicated his or her life to helping children. An additional honor was bestowed upon Sister Barbara by naming an education building for her at Youth Villages. Sister Barbara was one of five women in Memphis who received the White Rose Award from the West Tennessee Chapter of the March of Dimes for exemplary achievement in professional work and community involvement
She is survived by her sister Dorothy Leedom, her extended family, and her SCN Community.
The funeral arrangements for Sister Barbara are as follows:
- The Wake will be held at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in St. Vincent de Paul Church
- The Funeral will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 13, in St. Vincent de Paul Church
- Burial will follow in the Nazareth Cemetery.
- Services will be streamed live at nazareth.org/live.
Funeral Arrangements are being handled by Ratterman Funeral Home, 3800 Bardstown Road in Louisville. Memorials may be made to the Office of Mission Advancement, PO Box 9, Nazareth, KY, 40048.
I had never heard of Elvis until the day he arrive at Nazareth and everyone flew to the Novitiate window for a glimpse In later years Barbara didn’t talk about it nor of the record her mother threw away!
Sister Barbara, I will miss you. Heck, I have been missing you since we both left Youth Villages. Your bright, caring spirit, that sparkle in your eyes, your stories about the early days of Youth Villages, about Elvis, and life in general, these live on in all of us whose lives you have forever impacted for the better. I will be forever grateful that you picked me to be a YV intern and how you cared for me and others you took under your wing and welcomed to the YV family. You changed my perception of what it means to be a nun—in only good ways! Thank you, Sister!
She affected our family so much. She was the most loving person ever!
I have great memories of Sister Barbara. Eternal rest grant to her O Lord.
Sister Barbara was a great mentor and beloved friend to me and numberless others. Her laughter was musical and her kindness was life giving . Eternal joy with Jesus 🙏🙏