Rev. Dr. James Roland Spears

J. Roland grew up in a small town in East Texas called Hemphill, Texas. He was the oldest of four children. He learned to drive at age 12 so he could drive his mother around town. This was also the time that he started working. One of his first jobs was at a movie theater where he operated the concession stand and ran the reels.

In High School, J. Roland was in the band where he played the bass drum. He also taught himself to play the piano. When he was seventeen he was called to preach. He and others helped start a Baptist Church outside of Hemphill in East Texas. After that, he became known in many churches in that area.

As time went on he went to the mission field through the Home Mission board of the Southern Baptist Convention in the southern part of Arkansas. This is where he met Bettye Ann Rainey. They dated and got married on June 19, 1959.

J. Roland and Bettye moved to Beaumont, Texas then to Woodville, Texas to pastor the Ebenezer Baptist Church, then was called to Village Mills Baptist Church and on to Langwood Baptist Church in Houston. Their first son was born in Beaumont, Texas. When little Jay was two weeks old, they moved to Houston where he served as Pastor. While serving in Houston, their second son was born, Jeffery Ronald Spears.

Believing in education, J. Roland worked full-time as Pastor and attended Houston Baptist College where he got his Bachelor of Arts on May 24, 1969. After serving seven years at Langwood, he went to Southwestern Seminary and got his Master of Religion on December 14, 1973 in Fort Worth, Texas. A few years later, he finished his education by getting his Doctorate from Luther Rice Seminary in Florida.

J. Roland would have celebrated his 61st year in the ministry on Tuesday, October 6th, which is also his birthday. J. Roland loved music. He loved to watch both of his sons in the High School Band. As a matter of fact, he and Bettye volunteered one year to run the concession stand, just so he could watch the band's halftime show. He passed his love of music to both his sons and the grandchildren. J. Roland and Bettye were known for years for the their duets in the various churches that he and she served in.

In recent years, J. Roland has served churches in Arkansas such as; Mountain Springs, Brownville, and Immanuel Baptist Churches. In the past few years, he was serving again at Langwood Baptist Church in Houston.

J. Roland loved his grandchildren especially when they sang, danced, and performed one act plays. He loved to travel especially when it was a mission trip to Brazil, Australia, and West Germany. He loved serving the LORD. He loved seeing both boys and their family in church.

J. Roland is survived by his wife Bettye, their two sons, James "Jay" and his wife Cossandra Spears, Jeff and his wife Shae Spears. He also leaves behind five grandchildren: Brittionia Ryals, Walter Ryals Jr., Ashlei Ryals, Ryan Spears and Jesse Spears. Also surviving is a sister, Virginia Haynes; brother, Drew Spears and wife Linda; sister-in-law, Juanita Spears wife of deceased brother Charles Spears, as well as many other family members and hosts of friends. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Christine and E. K. Spears.

J. Roland was a man who wore many hats throughout his life. His family had the honor of seeing him love his wife for over 56 years of marriage. We are thankful for God for sharing him with us through many family vacations, reunions, and the joy of hearing him preach over the years. He tried to retire twice, but God kept him until he needed him.

Family and friends will gather for a visitation at Waltrip Funeral Directors, 1415 Campbell Road in Houston, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Thurday, October 8, 2015.

Funeral services will be led by Reverend Richard D. Roach, Reverend Ron Roach and Reverend Jim Salles, on Friday, October 9, in the sanctuary of Langwood Baptist Church, 4134 Southerland Road in Houston, 77092.

Graveside services will be 12 noon Saturday, October 10th at Magnolia Cemetery in Woodville, Texas, where J. Roland will be laid to rest beside his parents.