Wendell Spearman

James Wendell Spearman, 73, of Heath, Ohio, formerly of Hahira, Georgia passed away on Thursday morning, July 4, 2013 at his residence, surrounded by his loving family who sang him into heaven. Jesus said, "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28. After over a year of declining health, Mr. Spearman died peacefully.

He was a builder since the age of 13 and his family enjoyed living in so many places in the United States, following large construction work. He especially enjoyed working as a Superintendent of construction for the last 45 years of his life. His last big job was the construction of the Forrest Park Church of Christ building on Perimeter Road, Valdosta, where he and his wife, Pansy, worshipped for many years.

During the 1970s, he was an elder at the 10th Avenue Church of Christ in Lake Worth, Florida. From there, he made a missionary trip to Panama with his wife and a group of Christians from throughout the United States.

Mr. Spearman dedicated most of his life to working with young people. "Suffer the little children to come unto me............for of such is the kingdom of heaven." In the late 1960s, he and Ms. Pansy worked at the Georgia Sheriffs' Boys' Ranch, during the early growth of the Ranch. During the 1980s, they worked for several years at Georgia Christian School, where their daughters graduated, and at the Georgia Christian Children's Home, which is now, Raintree Village Children's Home.

Mr. Spearman retired after the Forrest Park construction and assisted Ms. Pansy with Childcare until June 1, when they moved to Ohio to be near their daughters. Brian and Jana Hancock, Hahira, moved them. The Spearmans kept their children, Westin and Carter, since birth.

Mr. Spearman's declining health worsened, once in Ohio, and he spent about 15 days in CCU and Hospice at Licking Memorial Hospital in Newark, Ohio. His daughters never left his side and his son and his family travelled to spend time with him, from Phoenix, Arizona.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Pansy Coppage Spearman, and his three children: Melinda Kay McGaughy (David) and Julie Ann Hamilton (David) of Ohio and James Michael Spearman (Marlene Tromp) of Arizona. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, Jared Matthew Hamilton (Leah), Massachusetts, Amy McGaughy Lewis (Ben) of South Carolina, Jason Levi Hamilton, Ohio, Jordan Alexander McGaughy (Jessica) of Ohio, Ahlea Marie Hamilton Parrish (Chris) of Ohio, Amanda Reghan McGaughy, Ohio and Jacob Chako Tromp, Arizona. He also has11 great grandchildren, Ainsley, Noah, Balin and Finley Lewis, Camille and Simon Hamilton and Sierra, Lucas, Levi, Isaac and Isaiah Parrish. He is also survived by his sisters, Mary Nell Robertson (Donnie Walls) and Margie Larraine Blanton (Jeff) of Valdosta and his nephew, Brett Robertson(Carman) and their children, Valdosta, and his sister in law, Patricia Coppage Parham, Hahira, and nieces, Sherry Parham Brown, Hahira, and Sonya Parham Shannon and her children, Wesley Chapel, FL. , and brother in law, Julian Michael Coppage (Sherri), Merritt Island, FL. and children, Mickey Coppage, Merritt Island and Jenny Coppage Hedges (Wade) and children, South Carolina.

Funeral service for Mr. Spearman will be at the Martin McLane Funeral Home in Hahira at 3 PM, Sunday. Visitation will begin at 2 PM. Ray Joyner, John Renfro and Raymond Copeland and Wendell's sister, Margie Blanton will conduct the service.

Pallbearers for the service will be Amanda McGaughy, Brett Robertson, Mickey Coppage, Brian Hancock, Jon Spearman and Jorge Brathwaite.

The family wishes to thank every person who has helped with this transition and made this trip home, easier.

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which The Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing." 2 Timothy 4:7, 8

Flowers are appreciated or donations may be made to Hospice of Central Ohio or Latin American Missions through Forrest Park Church of Christ. Condolences to the family may be conveyed online at www.mclanecares.com. Martin McLane Funeral Home.


Funeral Home:
Martin/McLane Funeral Home
401 S. Church Street
Hahira, GA
US 31632