Shannon Earl Spears

Shannon Earl Spears, 82 of Searcy, died Sunday, February 8, 2026 at Jackson & Co Luxury Senior Living in Searcy, Arkansas. He was born February 16, 1943 in Texarkana, AR to James Grady Spears and Ruby Lois Spears.

Shannon was a young boy of 13 when he lost his beloved mother Lois to cancer. At the age of 12 he had been responsible for driving her from their home in Magnolia, AR to her doctor’s appointments in Texarkana. The two were extremely close and the pain of that loss lingered with him for the rest of his life. Before she passed away Lois had told her husband that she wanted him to remarry, and she even told him WHO he should marry. So within a few months James married Violet Pearl Gammon (who we would know as “Memaw”). Vi and her 13-year-old son Leo Hayden Gammon, Jr blended with James and his son Shannon, and the family settled into life in Freeport, TX.

Shannon was a 1961 graduate of Brazosport High School. He attended Harding University in Searcy, AR where he earned a B.A. in Biology with a minor in and Physical Education in 1965 and a Masters in Education in 1981. During his time at Harding, Shannon set his sights on a cheerleader from the Missouri bootheel, and he married that girl, Wanda Jean Henry, in May 1964.

Shannon started his coaching and teaching career in McCrory and Earle AR during desegregation. His integrated basketball teams were not allowed in the gymnasiums of some opposing teams. This either resulted in forfeiture by the opposing team or a change of venue. Driving an integrated school bus through the Arkansas Delta in the mid 1960’s was not for the faint of heart, but Shannon was determined to put his best team on the court and to give every boy a fair shot. Later Shannon coached basketball and football and taught science classes at Brazoswood High School in Clute, TX.

In 1979 Shannon followed a dream and moved the family to Searcy, AR where he was co-owner of Sports Warehouse. During that season of life Shannon was active in the Kiwanis Club, leading youth league activities, and co-hosting home Bible studies for college students.

In 1984 Shannon returned to education. He coached and taught for Goose Creek Independent School District in Baytown, TX and then taught for Galena Park Independent School District in Houston, TX before retiring in May 2004. Upon his retirement Shannon and Wanda returned to Searcy where their favorite hobby became following grandchildren from one event to another. Shannon also enjoyed travelling (especially by train), working in his flower beds, and supporting Bison sports.

Shannon was a lifelong member of the Church of Christ, building relationships and serving alongside others in the work of the Church wherever he lived. He served as deacon at the Lake Jackson Church of Christ in Lake Jackson, TX and he served as an elder at the Lakewood Church of Christ in Baytown, TX. These last 21 years he was a faithful member of the College Church of Christ in Searcy, AR and continued to enjoy services online as his health declined.

He is preceded in death by his parents, James and Lois Spears, his stepmom, Vi Spears, and his brother, Hayden Gammon.

He is survived by his wife, Wanda Spears; children, Marty (Glenda) Spears, Angela (Jimmy) Shaw, and Stephen (Toni) Spears; grandchildren, Josh (Alex) Spears, Becca (Aryk) Shaw Sullivan, Caleb (Shelby) Spears, Caitlyn (Taylor) Brown, Austin Shaw, Tessa (Ryan) Thurston, Connor Shaw, and J.T. Spears; great-grandchildren, Jehu, Charlie Grace, Joel, Hunter, and Everett.

Memorials can be made to Camp Wyldewood or The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.

A visitation will be held at College Church of Christ on Monday, February 16, 2026 from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. followed by a memorial service celebrating Shannon’s life at 11:00 a.m. www.searcymceuenfuneralhome.com.