John Howard Spears, 66, passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday, August 22, 2023.

He was a native of Cleveland County and the son of the late James B. Spears Sr. and Martha "Ginny" P. Spears.

John is survived by his three daughters, Martha Spears Kirk (Robbie), Laura Elizabeth Ray (Bradley), Katherine Patricia Spears (Edwin); four grandchildren, Willa Anne, Francis Marion "Fox", Vada Virginia, Hugo Peña and the mother of his daughters Stephanie Stovall Spears. John is also survived by four siblings, Sandra "Jean" Spears Guy, James "Jim" B. Spears, Jr. (Sue),, Pam McGinnis (Hubert "Buck"), and Jeff Spears (Susan).

John was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He graduated from Burns High School, class of 1975,and later graduated from UNC Charlotte in 1979 with a bachelor's degree in Accounting and worked for Mecklenburg County as a CPA. John was a longtime devoted member of First Baptist Church of Shelby and enjoyed taking part in the Parlor Co-Ed Sunday School class. He was also very active in the Southern Baptist Men's Ministry and Samaritan's Purse Ministry, serving many times in mission work around the state and country. In his free time, John loved spending time in nature by hiking and spending time outdoors. He was also known as quite a bookworm because he loved reading. John is described by family as smart, but humble. He had a great sense of humor and loved to laugh and share that spirit with others he was around.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM, Thursday, August 31, 2023 in the Webb Chapel of First Baptist Church in Shelby with Dr. Jim Wooten and Dr. Tim Elmore officiating. The family will receive friends after the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials for John may be made by check or online at https://fbcshelby.org/home/ to the Parlor Co-Ed Sunday School Class through First Baptist Church: 120 N. Lafayette St., Shelby, NC 28150.

Condolence messages may be made online at cecilmburtonfuneralhome.com

Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Spears family.