| Notes |
John married Dora W Stafford on December 21, 1899 in Johnson Co., KY.
Their children were Mildred, Edna, Dorothy, and John Jr Spears.
John was the son of Hamilton Spears and Julia Ward.
He died from cancer of the jaw.
Obituary - Paintsville Herald Thursday 31 Jan 1935
Well Known Citizen Passes after Long Illness
John L. Spears, member of a prominent family died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Hobart Meade, Thursday afternoon, Jan. 24th, at 3:15 o'clock. While his death was not unexpected, it came as a great shock to his devoted family and friends. He had suffered for years with an incurable ailment of the face and throat, and his marvelous patience was a constant revelation to those who kept in close touch with him during the long months and years in which he so bravely bore his afflection (sic). He placed his trust in God and resigned himself entirely to his will. The funeral was conducted at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Hobart Meade. Friday afternoon, January 25th, the large crowd of sorrowing friends and relatives, and the beautiful floral offerings, gave evidence of the high esteem in which he was held by all who knew him. The services were conducted by Rev. Arthur Green, of the United
Baptist Church of which the deceased was a loyal member, and by Rev. Odis Polly of the M.E. Church and Dr. W.I. Canter, of the M.E. Church, South, whose friendship to the deceased brought him great comfort in the tedious days of his suffering. A quartet, Mrs. Dorothy March, Mr. Clarence Hager and Mr. and Mrs. Delmas Preston, sang, "Does Jesus Care" and "When They Ring Those Golden Bells." The members of the United Baptist Church sang "How Firm A Foundation" and "The Promised Land." Interment took place at River, KY, on Saturday, January 26th where another funeral service, conducted by Rev. Green and Rev. German Walters was held in the United Baptist Church. This is the church where he was converted and the community where he was born and spent the early part of his life. A large crowd of people gathered at the church and at the cemetery to pay the last tribute of respect to their friend and kinsman. At the service in the home, Rev. Polly read the following family paper: John L. Spears, son of Hamilton and Juda (Ward) Spears, was born June 16, 1880, at River, KY, and departed this life Jan. 24, 1935 aged fifty-four years, seven months and eight days. He was united in marriage to Miss Dora Stafford, of Paintsville, KY, Dec. 21, 1899 and to this union four children were born, one son and three daughters. He was converted in February 1917, and was baptized and joined the United Baptist Church at River, KY, later transferring his membership to the United Baptist Church in Paintsville, and was ordained a Deacon in 1924. He remained a faithful member of that church until his death. He assisted ably in Revival work for many years throughout the country. He was active in civic betterment, serving on the City School Board and other public offices. He was a merchant for several years in Paintsville. He is survived by his wife, and the following children: Mrs. Hobart Meade, Mrs. Dorothy Lee Stapleton and John L. Spears, Jr., all of Paintsville, his daughter Mildred having preceded him in death at the age of eighteen years. He also is survived by a sister, Mrs. Roscoe Quinn, of Webb City, OK, and six grandchildren and a host of relatives and friends to mourn his loss. He spent the last eight months of his life at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Hobart Meade where everything that human hands could do was done for him, and all the care of devoted loved ones was bestowed upon him. His suffering was great but he bore it with almost super-human patience and in the words of the apostal: (sic) "The suffering of this present world is not to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us." While he was patient, he longed to go and be with Christ. To pierce the shadowy thin veil Making death dark from glowing life. Must surely come to man no frail Putting an end to spiritual strife. May not he who holds most dear A contact beyond, search supremely Until he wakes to find it near, And waking, lives on most serenely.
|
1880 - 1935 (54 years)
