Jerry Wyatt Spears

1939 - 2025

The Reverend Jerry Wyatt Spears, born June 25, 1939, passed away at his assisted living facility in Henderson, N.C. on December 10, 2025. A proud native of Sulphur Springs, TX, Jerry was the son of Floyd Dean Spears and Bessie Lonella Wyatt. He was predeceased by his parents, his sister, Linda (Spears) Jenkins, and his brother, Carey Del Gibson.

Surviving family members are his wife of 56 years, Rebecca (Contado) Spears; his son Philip Spears, daughter-in-law Lauren (Rowland) Spears, and grandsons, Nolan and Derek Spears; his daughter Heather (Spears) Beckford and son-in-law Peter Beckford; his sister, Dee Ella (Spears) Kardon and her husband Peter Kardon; his sister Mary Etta (Spears) Wright; and his cousin, Gail (Warren) Duggan; as well as numerous extended family in the Southwest.

Jerry earned a B.A. degree from Hardin-Simmons University (TX) and a master's from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He loved the various churches in which he worked, worshipped, and did supply preaching throughout his adult life, especially the following: Virginia churches Jefferson Park Avenue Baptist (Charlottesville), Goldvein Baptist - where he was Pastor from 1972-1978 - Leesburg Baptist, and St. James Episcopal (Leesburg); and North Carolina churches Wake Forest Baptist, Youngsville Baptist, St John's Episcopal (Wake Forest), and the place where he was a member the longest, Grace Haven Baptist Fellowship (Youngsville).

Sensitive, compassionate, and quirky, Jerry loved his family and friends, and he enjoyed so many things in life: theology; good jokes and comic strips; making funny noises and making people laugh; books of all kinds and used book stores (he worked in several); birds and sunshine; eating tasty foods and learning about and drinking delicious wine, especially from France (he worked in several wine stores); Hallmark and old Hollywood movies, especially Roy Rogers; singing and music, especially Baptist hymns; visiting his cousins at "Tulipwood" in Charlottesville; and making the rounds in Wake Forest (home since 1983) and connecting with its residents. Most of all he adored being and doing these things with his beloved Rebecca, whose abiding devotion to Jerry helped him enjoy a contented life.

A service for Jerry will take place in 2026 at Grace Haven Baptist Fellowship; details will follow soon. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jerry's memory can be made to Grace Haven through the church website.