Cohen Lambert Spears Sr., 73, of Linden, died Sunday, June 30, 2002, at Baptist Medical Center Princeton.

Graveside services were held Wednesday, July 3, 2002, at Linden Memorial Park with Rev. Don Newton officiating and under the direction of O’Bryant Chapel Funeral Home in Linden.

Mr. Spears was born June 16, 1929 in Lasca, Ala. He was employed as a crane operator and was a member of Forest Hill Baptist Church in Linden. He was also a member of the Marengo County Rescue Squad.

He retired from the U.S. Air Force and the Army Air National Guard after 28 years of service.

He is survived by his wife, Velma Jean Spears of Linden; three daughters, Peggy Ann Baker of Waxahachie, Tx., Linda Jean Duke of Meridian, Miss. and Jennifer Lynn Creel of Grand Bay, Ala.; a son, Cohen Spears Jr. of Braxton, Miss.; seven brothers, Eddie Spears, Freddie Spears and Riley Spears, all of Warren, Mich., Tommy Ray, Jerry Ray and Perry Ray, all of Gallion, and Chris Ray of Linden; seven sisters, Bonnie Miller of Huntsville, Elizabeth Roland of Panama City, Fla., Lila Desiter of Carrolton, Ga., Louise Lowery of Pensacola, Fla., Carolyn Abernathy of Tuscaloosa, and Janet Spears and Lottie Spears, both of Ft. Myers, Fla.; 15 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers were Shane Duke, Cohen (Bear) Baker, Michael Megginson, Kyle Megginson, Bryan Spears and Joey McHand.

Honorary pallbearers were members of the Marengo County Rescue Squad.