of Hughes, AR

May 28, 1941 - December 10, 2024

Carlton Rudolph Spears passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, on Tuesday, December 10th, 2024 in Jonesboro, Arkansas. He was born to Louis and Maggie Spears of Twist, Arkansas on May 28, 1941. Carlton was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife and the mother of his children, Laverne Leialoha Akina; his second wife, Jo Anne Ryder; brothers, James, Ray, Joe and Sterling Lee; sisters, Ruth and Julia and his son in law, Randy Baioni. Carlton grew up on Miller Plantation in Brickeys, Arkansas and graduated from T.A. Futrall High School in Marianna before enlisting in the United States Navy on August 11, 1961. He was stationed in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii and Little Creek, Virginia for most of his naval career and retired after 20 years of decorated service in November 1981. After his naval retirement, Carlton received his AS in Diesel Mechanics from Crowley's Ridge and had multiple careers including Area District Manager for Savings Oil/Dodge Stores, was a tradesman in Ingall's Shipbuilding, a maintenance engineer at a large reality company and Sales Manager at Regional Home Improvement Corporation. After many years of continuous service to local businesses, Carlton retired to spend more time with his family and on his farm in Hughes, AR. Carlton is survived by his sister, Helen Lee of Moro, AR; his daughters, Laverne ''Dabin'' (Gary) Drake of Omaha, NE, Leilani Ann (Matthew) Scucchi of Lake Village, AR, Lorna ''Nunu'' Spears Chennault (Johnny Gustavus) of Marion, AR and his son, Carlton Rudolph ''CR'' (Stacy) Spears II of Hughes, AR; his grandchildren, Mallory (Neal) McCarty of Union, MS, Jennifer (Randy) Thompson of Shipman, VA, Randa Baioni of Tallahassee, FL, Wesley Steele of Hughes, AR and Walker Blankenship (Jessica) of Marion, AR and his only great-grandson, Reece McCarty of Union, MS. Celebration of Life Services will be held on Sunday, December 15th from 3-5 pm at Roller Citizens Funeral Home followed by a graveside service on Monday, December 16th at 2pm at Crittenden Memorial Park. Roller Citizens has charge of arrangements. The family expresses deep and special thanks to all the healthcare providers who have helped and cared for Carlton over the last few years. In Lieu of flowers, the family has asked that memorial contributions be made to Tunnel to Towers.

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-Citizens Funeral Home
201 North Pine Street
West Memphis, AR  72303
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com