James Doyle Spears
Mr. James Spears, age 92, of Brewton, Ala. passed away Friday, January10, 2025, in Hoover, Ala. He was a true southern gentleman, kind, compassionate, and led by example with a servant’s heart. He loved God, his family, and the Auburn Tigers. As an avid hunter and fisherman, you could find him in the woods when he wasn’t coaching football or baseball. With great integrity and love, he was exceptional in this role as husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was a loyal stepfather, uncle, and friend to all who knew him.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, January 16, 2025 at 2 p.m. at First Methodist Church, 311 S. Pensacola Ave, Atmore, Ala. Graveside Services will be held Friday, January 17, 2025 at 2 p.m., at Auburn Memorial Park, 1000 E. Samford Ave, Auburn, Ala.,
The family will receive friends Thursday, January 16, 2025 at 1 p.m. at the church.
He was born in Greenbrier, AK. to Virgil Dean Spears and Mary Ruth War Spears. He graduated from Conway High School with athletic scholarships in baseball, track, and football. He attended and played at Arkansas State Teachers College, now known as the University of Central Arkansas. Once the Korean War began, he left college joining the US Navy eventually serving as a Navy Medic aboard the USS Valley Forge (1950-53).
Entering Utah State University (1954-56) he pursued a degree in Wildlife Management, and continued playing baseball, pitching for the Utes until his transfer to Alabama Polytechnic Institute (1956-58). As an Auburn University walk-on, he struggled to work, practice and study. Deciding to focus on his education, he left baseball and graduated with a degree in Forest Management in 1958.
On December 26, 1958, he married Billie Charles Dewberry in Auburn, AL. and they welcomed two children. Throughout his life, he served his church in all capacities. Joining the First United Methodist Church Atmore in 1970, he was the oldest living male member. He shared his time with the United Methodist Men’s Club and the Atmore Lions Club, when he wasn’t volunteering with Little League, Peewee Football, or the Boy Scouts.
He joined St. Regis Paper Company and held several positions, retiring as Timberlands General Manager from Champion International. He served as Chairman of the Advisory Counsel for the Auburn School of Forestry (1991-99), was a member of the Society of American Foresters and past president of the Alabama Forestry Association. He was appointed by Gov. Fob James to the Alabama Forestry Commission and later appointed by Gov. Guy Hunt to the Foresters Licensing Board. In 1992, he was awarded the Auburn University Outstanding Forestry Alumni and in 1994 was inducted into the Alabama Forestry Hall of Fame.
He was preceded in death by his first wife of 56 years, Billie Charles Dewberry Spears; parents; sisters, Genevia Hegi and Virginia Ellzey; brothers, Thomas Spears, Dean Spears, Virgil Spears, and nephew, Daniel Spears.
Mr. Spears is survived by his loving wife of seven years, Bobbie Bracken Herrington; daughter, Leigh Ann Horst of Fleming Island, Fla; son, Stan (Liz) Spears, of Hoover; two grandsons, Jacob Horst and Jordan Horst; two great-grandsons, Jordan Horst and Jack Horst; step-children, Sharon (Carl) McInnish, Bill (Kay) Herrington, Ronny (Pat) Herrington, all of Brewton and Tammi (Maxie) Bondurant, numerous step-grandchildren, nephews and nieces.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, January 16, 2025, at 2 p.m. at First United Methodist Church Atmore.
The family received friends at 1 p.m. prior to the service. Interment will be held at Auburn Memorial Park Cemetery on Friday, January 17, 2025, at 2 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in honor of James D. Spears to FUMC Atmore, More Than Bricks.
Johnson Quimby Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Brenda Sue Koehn Schneider
Mrs. Brenda Sue Koehn Schneider, age 77, of Walnut Hill, Fla., passed away Saturday, January 11, 2025 at Baptist Memorial Hospital, Columbus, Miss. after a brief illness. She was born to Allen and Osie Schmidt Koehn in Newton, Ks. She was a 1965 graduate of Halstead High School in Harvey County, Ks. She was baptized into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite at Grace Mennonite Church, Halstead.
She and her husband moved to Walnut Hill living on a farm until his tragic death in a farm-related accident on their thirtieth wedding anniversary. She expanded her cleaning service of homes and businesses until retirement in her early 70’s.
Mom had a love for flowers and plants. She kept a tidy house and was a delightful cook, making the best cinnamon rolls and chocolate chip cookies. Her grandchildren were very dear to her. Skittles and M&Ms were always in ample supply at Grandma’s. Memories of her teaching the grandchildren to bake and drive at young ages will always be cherished. Another special memory is the many stories that she read to them, even at times over the phone.
As her health was starting to decline, it was decided she would move to Oakwood
Retirement Community in Brooksville, Miss. She was very excited to move into her new room on September 30, 2024. She appreciated the opportunity to make new friends and get reacquainted with old ones. She enjoyed going to Coffee Shop and playing Rummikub. Little did we know that her time at Oakwood would be so short, but we trust that God does all things well.
Mrs. Schneider is survived by three sons, Jarrod and Casey, Perry and Stephanie, Robert and Shanna, all of Walnut Hill; two daughters, Lisa, Walnut Hill and Leana and Van Nickel of Blountsville, Alabama; 13 grandchildren; an expected great-grand-daughter she was so looking forward to meeting soon; her dear sister, Jan and Mike Unruh, Greensburg, Ks.; one sister-in-law, Carolyn and Reinhard Regier, Hesston, Ks. and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, January 16, 2025 at 10 a.m. at the Walnut Hill Mennonite Church with Ministers Ben Koehn, Mike Koehn and Monte Unruh officiating. Burial will follow in Walnut Hill Memorial Gardens.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home in charge of all arrangements.