Tennie V. Sheppard Spencer was born on May 26, 1940, in Quitman, Georgia.  She was the tenth child of fifteen children.  After the death of her mother, her eldest brother moved his fourteen siblings to Jacksonville, Florida where he provided and reared his family.  Tennie received her education in the public schools of Jacksonville, Florida.  In 1964, she married her high school sweetheart.  In 1966, they relocated to Pensacola, Florida because of his military commitment.   

Tennie loved caring for children.  As a nursing assistant at Sacred Heart Hospital, her compassion for children was demonstrated through her care for her patients.  For over 35 years, she faithfully devoted her time and energy to bringing smiles to the families and loved ones of children who had been admitted to Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital and to the little ones seen through Sacred Heart Pediatric Clinic.
​
​Her unselfish acts of kindness were not only shown to patients at Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital but to anyone who needed to be uplifted.  Not only did she make a difference in the lives of her patients, she also committed her life to raising and mentoring children.  She devoted her time and “opened her home” to several individuals; and because of her unconditional love, she became known to many as “Godmama”. For the significant impact, Tennie made to improve the lives of others, we hope that her gentle spirit of caring and thoughtfulness will continue to live on.  Tennie was an inspiration to all.  She was a constant source of encouragement, and an unending spring of love, compassion, and affection.  She is deeply missed and will never be forgotten. 
 
We are grateful that her strength and grace will be shared for many generations through the students we support through the Tennie V. Sheppard Spencer Memorial Scholarship.