Charles Vance Spears

December 10, 1950 – June 30, 2015

Charles Vance Spears, age 64, entered the gates of heaven on June 30, 2015, in Vicksburg, MS, doing what he loved–enjoying the woods and sharing it with others. He was an avid sportsman and loved hunting and fishing, especially with his sons, nephews, and other close friends. Charlie was a man of many talents. He served in the Mississippi Army National Guard. He earned his black belt in Shotokan karate, he coached many young people in soccer and baseball, and he was an expert horseman. The achievement he was proudest of was his work as a Sunday School teacher of young boys and leading them to faith in the Lord. He most recently taught the Wayne Connerly Men's Class at First Baptist Church, Raymond, MS. He was a deacon and had served as Chairman of the Deacon body. He was actively involved in the Wounded Warrior Project and looked forward each year to helping veterans with disabilities participate in a deer hunt.

Charlie was the building trades instructor at Hinds Community College, Vicksburg, for the past 25 years. Prior to that, he taught building trades at Clinton Public Schools. He was a licensed barber, a licensed residential building contractor and business owner of Spears Construction, as well as a licensed realtor/broker with Mossy Oak Properties in Jackson, MS.

Charlie was born in Jackson on December 10, 1950, to Charles E. and Eloise Vance Spears. He was in the cradle roll at Calvary Baptist Church. He later became a member of Parkway Baptist Church, and was an active member of First Baptist Church, Raymond. He married Sandra Elaine Ayers on May 21, 1982. He is survived by her along with his sons Joseph Vance Spears (Bonnie), Benjamin Charles Spears, grandchildren, Noah Vance Spears and Harper Eve Spears, sister Cheryl Spears Townsend (Troy), and many nephews, nieces, cousins, and close friends. He was predeceased by his parents and his sister Cynthia Spears Dreher.

Services will be at First Baptist Church, Raymond, MS at 11 a.m. Friday, July 3, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Visitation will be Thursday evening, July 2, from 6-8 p.m. also at the church. Pallbearers will be Joseph V. Spears, Benjamin C. Spears, Ted Smith, Brad Dreher, Robert Townsend, Charlie Townsend, Will Townsend and Hunter Holiday. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Wayne Connerly Sunday School class, Chris Cauthen, Adrian Lopez, and Craig Phillips.

Burial will be at Raymond Cemetery.