Appalachia, VA – Jimmy Darrell Spears, Sr., 77, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, August 25, 2024 at his home surrounded by his family.
Jimmy was born and raised in the coal camps of Appalachia. He lived in Big Stone Gap and Appalachia for most of his life. Jimmy proudly served his country in the U.S. Army from 1964-1967, serving in the Vietnam War in 1965-1966 with the 101st Airborne Division, earning a combat infantry badge and also served in the 82nd Airborne Division stateside. He also earned the Parachute Badge, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal and the Vietnam Campaign Medal. He was a foreman for Westmoreland Coal Company and a superintendent of Black Mountain Coal and Jericho Coal Company. Jimmy was well respected for his coaching contribution to youth sports for 40 years, both with Little League Baseball and P-nut Football. He was of the Baptist faith.
Jimmy was preceded in death by his parents, Burley and Mary “Modish” (Teglas) Spears and his sister, Elaine Perry.
Jimmy is survived by his companion of over 30 years, Kathy Fox of Appalachia, VA; his children, Angela Brown (Daniel) of Clinton, TN, Jimmy “Squirt” Spears, Jr. (Jenny) of Big Stone Gap, VA, Rodney Spears (Bridget) of Duffield, VA, and Jeremy Fox (Jessica Hall) of Appalachia, VA; his siblings, Sherry Seymour (Carl) of Big Stone Gap, VA, Helen Holcomb of Appalachia, VA, Sandra “Bootsie” Duncan (Bobby) of Big Stone Gap, VA, Lois “Gib” Spears of Big Stone Gap, VA, Burl “Bubby” Spears, Jr. (Donna) of Appalachia, VA, Mona Spears of Big Stone Gap, VA, Teresa Meade (Kerry) of Disputanta, VA, Rhonda Smeltzer (Steve) of Big Stone Gap, VA and Marsha Spears Day of Big Stone Gap, VA; his grandchildren, Haley Embler (John), Austin Brown (Savanah), Makenzie Brown, Bryce Spears (Hannah), Rylie Gilliam (Robbie) and Salem Fox and his great grandchildren, J.J., Amelia, Anderson, Sunnie, Callan and Byrdie. He is also survived by Dorothy Ashley, mother of Angie, Squirt and Rod, and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 5:00pm-7:00pm on Thursday, August 29, 2024, at Gilliam Funeral Home, 618 Wood Ave., E., Big Stone Gap, VA. The funeral service will begin at 7:00pm with Elder Vernon McDavid officiating.
Military Rites, by American Legion Posts 3/265 Honor Guard, will be held 1:00pm on Friday, August 30, 2024 at Mountain Home National Cemetery, 53 Memorial Ave., Mountain Home, TN. Family members will serve as pallbearers. The family and friends will meet at the cemetery by 12:50pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to: Gilliam Funeral Home, P. O. Box 886, Big Stone Gap, Va. 24219 or in person at the funeral home office, to assist with burial expenses.
Gilliam Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to serve Jimmy Spears’ family.
To view the obituary online and offer condolences, visit www.gilliamfuneralhome.com or the funeral home Facebook page.