Spencer A. Rawls Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Spencer Adonious Rawls, 66 years old, died January 23, 2022 peacefully in the comfort of his own home. Spencer was born March 20, 1955 to the late Ceasar and Beatrice Rawls, in Frankford, a neighborhood in Northeast Philadelphia, PA. Spencer was the oldest of the Rawls family children which included his late brother Rodney, and his two younger sisters Sylvia and Brenda. In addition, Spencer had four step brothers, Ronald, Tayo, Shareef and Saleem and two step sisters Carol and Keisha. Spencer was educated through the Philadelphia public school system. He was a multi-sport athlete competing in track and field and gymnastics. In addition he was enlisted in the Junior ROTC program. After high school he went on to complete his undergraduate studies at Drexel and Temple Universities obtaining his Associates degree of Electrical Engineering and Technology. Spencer would go on to work for Bell Laboratories as a Senior Technical Associate and Design Engineer. He would individually and collaboratively invent various technologies securing many U.S. patents earning an induction in the Index of Patents in 1988. While working at Bell Laboratories Spencer would be awarded the Labs highest innovation award for his invention, the Integrated Transformer Structure with Primary Winding in Substrate. In addition to his success as an engineer Spencer was deeply committed to investing in his community. He set aside time in his schedule to tutor children in the areas of math and science while living in Reading and at the local Philadelphia Boys and Girls Club in Frankford. Unfortunately due to mental health issues, Spencer was forced to leave the field. Spencer met Darlene in 1976 and their friendship budded into love. From their relationship they had three children, his late son Spencer, Dawn and April. Although Spencer and Darlene did not remain together, they maintained a love and care for one another. In 1980 Spencer met Cynthia, his late wife. Their relationship would flower into love, producing five children, Makeedah, his late son Adonis, Keturah, Donesiah and Jordan. Spencer had a special appreciation for African Ancestry and demonstrated a devotion to honoring black excellence. He had a love for music, vinyl records and had an insatiable desire for reading. On January 23, 2022, Spencer passed away in his sleep. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Ceasar and Beatrice, his wife Cynthia, his two sons, Spencer and Adonis, and his nephew Renzy. Spencer leaves behind his daughters Dawn (Franco), April (Michael), Makeedah, Keturah, Donesiah,and his son Jordan; his grandchildren Richard, Deja, Wyzairah, Isaiah, Mikealah, Kemiah, and Makhi, and his great grandson Dakota. His maternal uncle, Ronald, his sisters Sylvia and Brenda (Bruce), Ronald (Margeret), Saleem, Carol, Tayo (Mercy), Keisha (Alan), Shareef; He leaves behind a collection of nieces and nephews- Ann Margeret, Rhonda, Juanita (Richard), Carl (Nicole), Robert (Trisha), Shawn, Kim, John, Dion (Janita), Aaron (Dawn), Anthony, Ronald, Daryl, Brandon (Malene), Layla; and a host of great nieces and nephews, relatives and friends.

Spencer A. Rawls

March 20, 1955 - January 23, 2022