Marvin Donald Spearman

Marvin Donald Spearman, 87, of Clover, SC passed away, Sunday, July 16, 2017 at home.

Graveside service will be 11:00 am Wednesday, July 19, 2017 at Woodside Cemetery with U.S. Army Command Sergeant Major (Retired) Evan Thompson of the American Legion, Post 82 officiating. 

The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 pm Tuesday at M. L. Ford & Sons Funeral Home, 209 N. Main Street, Clover.

Marvin, son of the late Samuel David and Lillie Belle Lowe Spearman, was born in Inman, SC on February 10, 1930. As one of seven children, he learned to value family and hard work at a very early age. After completing the eighth grade, Marvin went to work in local textile mills, including the American Thread Company in Clover, where he worked until he was drafted by the United States Army in 1951. After attending basic training at Fort Jackson, SC, he was trained as a Combat Medic at Fort Sam Houston, TX, then assigned to the 1st Cavalry Regiment in Fort Hood, TX, and deployed to Okinawa, Japan. He was proud of his service and continued to uphold the Army values of loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage throughout the remainder of his life.

Returning to the States in December 1953, Marvin was honorably discharged from the United States Army and returned to work in the textile industry, where he met the love of his life, Jerry Hazel Miller. He and Jerry were married in December 1957 and settled in Clover. Marvin was a proud husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, dedicating much of his life to supporting and caring for his family. A proponent of education, he returned to school in the early 1990s and earned his G.E.D. from Gaston College. He retired from Chicago Rawhide in the mid-1990s to devote quality time to his family, home, and travel. Marvin was a member of the Ancient Free Masons of South Carolina, Alpine Lodge 208 AFM.

Marvin is survived by his four children: Sheila Jane Chapman of Charlotte, NC, Kim Morris Spearman and his wife, Kimberly of Gastonia, NC, Donald Alan Spearman and his wife, Jan, of Clover, SC, and Lisa Spearman Moore and her husband, Alan, of Cramerton, NC. Two grandchildren, Parrish Turner and Hailey Spearman also survive him, as well as a sister, Diane.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Jerry Miller Spearman, a son, Billy Michael Chapman, five brothers: Dean, Trent, Charles, Norris, and William “Bill” Spearman, and a grandson, Donald Alan Spearman, Jr.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Heart Society of Gaston County, 1201 East Garrison Blvd, Gastonia, NC 28054.

 Service Information