Vernal Spears

Vernal Lee Spears was born August 30, 1948 in Tunica, Mississippi. He was the oldest of thirteen children to Fannie Mae Spears. Vernal Spears was raised by Eddie and Lou Ella Spears. He attended school in Blytheville, Arkansas.

Vernal confessed hope in Christ at an early age and was baptized at New Bethel M.B. Church under the leadership of Rev. V. Mitchell. There he remained until he moved to Chicago, Illinois.

Vernal worked as Deputy Sheriff for Mississippi County Sheriff Department in the late 70s. He then served as State highway Police until 1985. He later moved to Little Rock, Arkansas, were he served 22 years of outstanding and dedicated service to Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Enforcement, also including 10 years in Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) at Pine Bluff Police Department Vice and Narcotic Division. In 2007, Vernal Spears was rewarded and appreciated for 25 years of service upon retirement from the State of Arkansas. In all, he served 32 years in Law Enforcement.

Vernal departed this life Wednesday, December 2, 2015 at Conway Regional Medical.

He leaves to mourn his loving memory, a dear wife: Dorothy Ruth Spears; five children: Princess Y. Spears of Marion, Arkansas, Gemayel Lamar Spears of Conway, Arkansas, Vernal and Darren Spears of Minnesota, and Keisha Spears of Michigan; Deceased child: Trenton Collins Spears; Surviving Siblings: Wilfored (Kathy) Gholson III of Chicago, Illinois, Elvin Jean (Manuel) Butler of Calumet City, Illinois, Chester Dockery of Texas, Vincent Dockery of Chicago, Illinois, and Eddie Fate Dockery of Conway, Arkansas; deceased siblings: Winfored Gholson, Michael, Linda, Glenda, Leonard, Ricky and Diane Dockery; three aunts: Eddie Mae Jones of Chicago, Illinois, and Daisy Sanders of Gary, Indiana, Bettie Garner of Ringgold, Louisiana; grandchildren: Shauntora Butler, Shakeal Butler, Pre'Shiah Spears Heydorf, Alexis Spears, Devin Spears, and Gemayel Lamar Spears Jr.; one great-grandchild: Zaniya Butler, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friend Richard Brown, Jr.
Services: 10:00 a.m. Saturday, December 12th at Smith-North Little Rock Funeral Home. Visitation: Friday 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be at Rest Hills Memorial Park. Online guest registry www.SmithFamilyCares.com .