James Spears

James Lynell Spears, 82, of Jacksonville passed away Wednesday, February 1, 2017. He was born April 27, 1934 in Sicily Island, Louisiana to the late Charles Cassie and Mattie Evans Spears. He was a retired MSgt. with the United States Air Force with 20 years of service, serving in Vietnam and Korea and retired from the City of Jacksonville with 23 years of service. James was a member and Deacon of Bayou Meto Baptist Church in Jacksonville for over 60 years.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Peggy Spears; daughter, Jane Spears Hicks of Daingerfield, Texas; sons, Charles Spears, of North Little Rock and James D. Spears, of Sherwood; five grandchildren, Casey James Hicks (Tabitha), Nicole M. Cheshire (John), James Robert Spears (Theresa), Shay Meredith (James), and Ashley Butler (Kelly); seven great-grandchildren, Dempsey Meredith, Preston Meredith, Hunter Meredith, Avery Jack Cheshire, Bailee Spears, Breelyn Spears and Aiden Spears; three brothers, Horace Spears, Charles Spears, and Columbus Spears; and two sisters, Barbara Fletcher and Mary Garrett. In addition to his parents, James is preceded in death by sister, Laverne Holland and brother, J.C. Spears.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, February 10, 2017 at Bayou Meto Baptist Church. Burial will be 12 noon, Friday, February 10th in Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, February 9th at Smith - North Little Rock Funeral Home. Online obituary at www.SmithFamilyCares.com .