On May 7, 2010, Mary Tipney Jordan Barham Spears departed for glory. Born on Dec. 11, 1922, Mary was the third of the 15 children born to Tipney and Amy Jordan.
A lifelong resident of Suffolk, she married Willie L. Barham, and to this union was born her only child, Mary Naomi Barham Marlins. Later, she married Charles Spears.
Mary was a hard and faithful worker, spending more than 30 years at Planters. She was a lifelong member of Healing Chapel Baptist Church, where she worked at many ministries.
She is survived by her daughter Naomi Marlins, grandchildren Melissa Thorpe, Amy Ford, Rachel Marlins, Willie Marlins IV, Jordan Marlins and Jonathan Marlins; great-grandchildren Gabrielle, Terence Alana, Elizabeth and Abigail. She also leaves behind five sisters, three brothers and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.
Mrs. Spears will be on view from 5 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, May 12, at the funeral home. A service of remembrance will take place 11 a.m., Thursday, May 13 at Healing Chapel Baptist Church.
Donations can be made to Healing Chapel scholarship fund.
Professional arrangements were entrusted to T.E. Cooke – Overton Funeral Home Inc.