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This memorial website was created in memory of Spencer Lively.
Spencer was born in Nashville, Tennessee on September 12, 1986 and passed away on December 16, 2003 in McMinnville, Tennessee at the age of seventeen.
Spencer died playing "The Choking Game."(stop-the-choking-game.com) I, like other parents, had not heard of this, but looking back, the signs were there, blood shot eyes, headaches, and tingling arms.
Spencer had big dreams and set high goals for himself. He wanted to be an artist, a published author, a rock star, a philosopher, a missionary, and a theologian. He was always telling me, "Mom I am going to be on the cover of Guitar World some day."
Spencer loved playing his guitar and cherished his PRS. In 2001, he wrote a poem that was published, "The Red Letters." Spencer dedicated this poem to his savior Jesus Christ.
Spencer was involved in many extra - curricular activities. At Warren County High School he was a member of the Rugby Team, Quiz Bowl, Mu Alpha Theta, Beta Club, Key Club, Student Council, and served as WCHS Student Body Treasurer. Spencer was selected to Who's Who Among American High School Students three consecutive years. Spencer was also named to the National Honor Roll three consecutive years, He was invited to participate in a summer performance program at Berklee College of Music in MA. He was a Global Scholar Representative, Junior Statesman, and chosen at attend Governor's School. He was a member of the 2003 Homecoming court, representing the JR. class (class of 2005).
Spencer was also very active outside of the classroom. He was a Red Cross Lifeguard, a member of Boy Scout Troop 631 working on Eagle Scout. Spencer participated and completed McMinnville's Inaugural Triathlon in June 2003. Spencer loved God, and was very active in the youth program at Christ Community Church.
The outdoors is a gift to us from God to enjoy, cherish and to keep sacred. He loved to rock climb, cliff dive, go camping, and swim. From a very early age Spencer loved being out in God's playground. When he was a baby if he got fussy, all I had to do was to take him outside and the fresh air calmed him. Spencer protected what God created. You did not swat a fly, step on an ant, squash a bug in front of him and if you did you would get a sermon on how it was all a part of God's plan.
Spencer enjoyed reading and being read too. It wasn't unusual to pass his room and see him with two or three encyclopedias scattered across his bed. When he was in first grade, I took him to read to the residents at McMinnville Nursing Home. I'm not sure who enjoyed it more Spencer or the residents. Now, I look at all the Rubbermaid containers that hold his books and know that I should share them with other children, that's what Spencer would want.
In September 2003, Spencer decided he wanted to learn to paint. He picked up a paint brush and on his Converse high top shoes painted Van Gouge's, Starry Night. Spencer and his shoes were the talk of the Christmas Dance, his last dance.
Spencer loved life. He wanted to make a difference in the world, and world issuses as global warming, world hungry, and child labor, weighed heavy on his heart.
Tatum, Spencer's sister, whom he loved deeply was his hero, he looked up to her, was proud of her, respected her and of course he was the typical "little brother" to her.
Spencer leaves behind, his mother, step-dad, sister, maternal and paternal grandparents, aunt and uncle, three first cousins, Ginny Ann, a large extended family, hundreds of friends and his beloved LENA GIRL...
A FEW OF HIS FAVORITE THINGS:
God*his momma
TATUM*nanny/pa
playing his PRS
Incubus*HONESTY
rock climbing*kool aid*
pig lickin cake*traveling
drivin with the windows down
family and friends
the outdoors
debating*ms g.bennett
lena girl* ccc youth group
the warren county fair
MUSIC* reading*RUGBY
being true to himself
being a FRIEND*c.mcgee
pink ties*fall of the year
grapes*dave matthews band
rice*flip flops*mission trips
key lime pie*swimming*spaghetti
HIS BIRTHDAY*caving*sleeping
japan*HUGS*batman*french fries
a full moon* starry nights*
thunder storms*children
gummy bears*mrs. l. davis
animals*the color yellow
power rangers*cliff diving
smiling*playing in the leaves
bunggie jumping*ginny ann
THIN AIR -WSP*taking a dare
DREAMING BIG*superman
talking*scarry movies*blow
rocket boys*harry potter
fear & loathing in las vegas
poetry*playing in the snow
mrs l. king*making people laugh
loyalty*cycling*john mayer
jack johnson*dinosaurs*drawing
painting*the painting starry night
hunter thompson*triathlons
live music*blue jeans*thrift stores
theology*mr. g. joslin* church
lifting weights*running
fruit roll ups*mr. ed
tires swings*being a prankster
studying different religions
ms m. potter*photography
boy scout troop 631* his computer
people*being in the spotlight
living a healthy lifestyle*running
and most of all he loved LIFE...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I Wish You Were Here
^^^ Incubus ^^^
I dig my toes into the sand The ocean looks like A thousand diamonds strewn Across a blue blanket I lean against the wind Pretend I am weightless And in this moment I am happy
I wish you were here I wish you were here
I lay my head onto the sand The sky resembles A backlit canopy With holes punched in it I'm counting UFOs I signal them with my lighter And in this moment I am happy
The world's a rollercoaster And I am not strapped in Maybe I should hold with care My hands are busy in the air I wish you were here ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Other children that have lost their lives:
Dylan Blake
Chelsea Dunn
Nick Serna
Daniel Sheppard
Kimberly Wilson
Leo McPhee
Kelly McCarthy
Please help me raise awareness and educate others of this deadly game. www.stop-the-choking-game.com *************************************************************
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