Mr. James David “JD” Mears, age 87 died Friday, July 31, 2009. He was born and educated in Edgecombe County. He enlisted in the Navy in 1942 where his patrol craft was the first United States vessel hit by enemy fire during the D Day invasion. Mr. Mears was a Purple Heart recipient. He also served in the Okinawa invasion. Mr. Mears was discharged from the Navy in 1945 as a Chief Petty Officer. Following his service to our country, he owned and operated Mears Jewelry in Enfield, North Carolina from 1952 to 1985. Mr. Mears was an active member of the Enfield Baptist Church serving as a Deacon and a Sunday School teacher. He had been active with the Masons since 1954 and the Enfield Lions Club. Mr. Mears served on the Enfield Town Board for twelve years. He is preceded in death by his parents, Leslie Daughtridge and Joseph Mears, wife of fifty years, Zenobia “Zee” Wheeless Mears, daughter, Patricia Grubb, brother, Robert L. Mears, and sister, Mary Jo Mears Pennington.
Survivors include his wife, Florence Draper Mears of Tarboro, North Carolina, daughter, Brenda Mears Craig and her husband Mike of Charlotte, North Carolina, stepdaughter, Becky Lane and her husband Jimmy of Siler City, North Carolina, stepson, Gary Mohorn and his wife Llewellyn of Emerald Isle, North Carolina, sisters; Jean Joyner of Rocky Mount, North Carolina, Faye Southerland and her husband Bob of Raleigh, North Carolina, brother, Dan Mears and his wife Susan of San Diego, California, grandchildren; Kelli Craig Snyder and her husband Jeff, Anna Craig Gatlin and her husband John, Alison Dunn and her husband Don, step grandchildren; Allison Malpass and her husband Bert, Jake Lane and his wife Kristen, Kim Collins, three great-grandchildren, and two step great-grandchildren.
Dear Brenda and Mike, We are certainly sorry to hear of your dad’s recent passing. We were on vacation and just got the email today. Please know that you and your entire family will be in our thoughts and prayers. May the Peace, that only our Heavenly Father can give be yours. In Christ Love, Phillip and Yetive Caulder and the staff of Miller-Rivers-Caulder Funeral Home, Chesterfield, SC (Your Bus tour guide)B
I was saddened to hear of Mr. Mears passing. I grew up in Enfield and remember Mr. Mears and his wife fondly. My parents were customers of their’s in the late 60’s and early 70’s and we were always treated with diginity and respect by them. May God rest Mr. Mears soul and may a peace be upon the family. Mr. Mears was a good man.
Brenda and family, have enter peace in feeling the prayers from your christian friends.
Love and Prayers to the family.
Brenda,
I am sorry to learn that your Father passed away.
Although I didn’t know your Father, I have become very fond of you and Mike. I always look forward to seeing both of you at trade shows and conferences.
Take care. I hope to see you soon.
Bill
Mike: I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your father-in-law. It is obvious from his obituary that he was a very special man.
Brenda:
Marti and I extend our condolences on the loss of your father. You will be in our thoughts and prayers during this difficulot time.
Kelli – I’m sorry to hear about the loss of your grandfather. My thoughts are with you and your family.
Kelli – I was so sorry to hear about your the death of your Grandfather. Even as “big kids” our grandparents can make us feel like “little kids” again and what a great thing that is! God’s blessings to you and your family. Susan Clausen
Dear Brenda,
I am very sorry to hear of the passing of your father. I think of your mother (and father) often as I think of my mother (Minnie H. Baker). My childhood of over 40 years ago have fond memories of your parents.
Crystal Harvey
Decatur, GA
Dear Flo — Jim and I are so very sorry to learn about J.D.’s passing. I wish I could be with you and your family tomorrow but of course distance prevents me. J.D. was a wonderful, kind man and I’m so glad that you two found each other. I will always remember the good times that my little Chi Chi and I had with you and J. D. when I stayed with you a couple of years ago. I love you very much and will be in touch soon. With sympathy, Tay