St. Simons, Ga. — For thirty years Wallace Spencer, better known as Mr. Christmas Lights, turned his St. Simons home into a Christmas wonderland.
His annual displays sprinkled a little bit of holiday cheer and provided an endless amount of joy to thousands of families.
In fact, this display earned him celebrity status on the island.
Action News Jax’s Dani Bozzini interviewed Wallace Spencer last Christmas.
We watched as Spencer opened thank-you cards from the community of families who have made visiting his lights display a holiday tradition.
Spencer read one out loud: “Dear Mr. Spencer, thank you so much for your wonderful Christmas display.”
His daughter Judy said he received more than 1,000 cards.
Spencer passed away in February.
That’s why this year, his family felt it only fitting to continue spreading joy during a time when many families really need it.
“We felt he would want us to,” said Judy.
This year, they worked harder than ever, putting up more lights and trees than usual.
The family said they hope to make it bright enough for Mr. Christmas Lights to see from heaven.
“It went quicker, because he wasn’t out there driving around in this little cart like last year, saying ‘No, it’s not bright enough, another strand of lights’ so there’s lots of strands of lights this year,” Judy said.
But quicker doesn’t always mean easier. Judy’s husband and son started setting up this year’s display two weeks before Halloween.
Not having Mr. Christmas Lights around is heartbreaking, but family members said the final display was worth every hour spent putting it up.
“To me, it’s a way I can keep him alive,” one said.
Local families who come out to see the display every year said they are just grateful to see it continue.
“It’s heartwarming to see your family pick up and say, OK, Granddaddy and Daddy did this, and let’s keep it going. He made folks happy; let’s make folks happy,” Judy said.
Especially when this year has been filled with more pain and heartache than laughter.
“I think it’s really neat just to come by and not everything is getting canceled, right? That some people are carrying on traditions and are able to keep things kind of normal for a little while, I think that’s great,” said a local family who visited the display.
The Spencer family said they have one request: “Enjoy it, because he would want you to.”
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