With heavy hearts, we celebrate the life of Ivory Spear

Ivory Spear was born July 10, 1943, in Temple, Georgia. He and his younger brother, Elroy, were raised by their parents, Clara and Homer Spear. They were hard-working, strong, responsible boys.

Ivory and Elroy loved to eat. Most of their food was prepared fresh from Uncle Dalton’s garden. They each ate 12-15 biscuits for breakfast before going to the field to pick cotton. Ivory’s grandmother, brother, aunts, uncles, and “favorite” cousins all called him “Sonny” and loved spending time with him. From a young age, Ivory had a passion for building and fixing things. He enjoyed spending time with his dog, Papolly, going into the woods to hunt, fish, and explore the countryside. Ivory was loved by many and brought joy to everyone he knew.

After elementary school, Ivory attended Nashville Christian Institute (NCI) under the guidance of Brother Marshall Keeble. Ivory was eager to attend NCI because it was a preparatory school associated with the Churches of Christ, focused on church ministry. When the time came for Ivory to leave his family, he would go out into the woods, cry tears of sorrow, wipe his tears and go back to the house. The students and faculty at NCI loved Ivory and called him “Georgia Boy.” Ivory was grateful for his education, but he’d always talk about how he missed his mom’s biscuits.

After graduating from NCI, Ivory enlisted in the US Navy from September 5, 1962, until September 4, 1966. During his service, Ivory was assigned to the USS Canberra Guided Missile Cruiser warship.

After his Navy service, Ivory moved to California to live with his cousin, Pauline Harper, and her family, and he enjoyed his time with them. Ivory’s mother missed him and would occasionally visit him in California. Cousin Pauline helped Ivory secure a job at Lockheed Martin as an expeditor. Ivory made quite an impression there and was awarded a Gold Veteran’s Badge for his loyalty and service to fellow Machinists and Aerospace workers.

Ivory began a new chapter of life focused on family and faith. On June 14, 1980, Lorraine said, “I do,” and they married at Normandie Church of Christ. Ivory and Lorraine bonded and began supporting and raising their three beautiful children, Eric, Jason, and Janet, based on the teachings of Christ. Ivory loved to hug and was affectionate with everyone he knew, especially his daughter. He’d say, “Daughter, come here and let me hug and kiss you.” He often spoke of how blessed he and Lorraine were to have the kids in their lives.

Ivory was instrumental in planning the annual Luke, Vaughn, Williamson Family Reunion. His mother wanted him to keep the family reunion going. Ivory and his favorite cousin, Herliner Dunson, planned and coordinated a successful family reunion every year. Ivory looked forward to planning it so he could see his relatives again.

One day, a co-worker asked Ivory to help him move to Canyon Country. Ivory had never been to Canyon Country before, but he fell in love with it. So, our family packed up, moved to Canyon Country, and eventually placed membership at North Oaks Church of Christ where our mission work began. Ivory served as an elder and wore many hats. He served the Friendly Valley community as a registered handyman. Ivory volunteered at the Food Bank, Santa Clarita Valley Pregnancy Center, Baby Bottle Fundraiser, Bridge to Home, participated in the studies and teachings of the Story of Redemption Film Series, and was recognized as volunteer of the year for his work with Single Mother’s Outreach. Ivory was recognized for his support of Father Flanagan’s Boys’ Home, the Nature Conservancy, the St. Joseph Indian School, and the American Heart Association.

Ivory is survived and mourned by his wife, Zephyr Lorraine, his sons Eric Morris and Jason Spear, his daughter, Janet Nelson, his grandchildren, Kaya Arowosegbe, Elan Morris, Hope Collishaw, Kobi Cross, Tobias Sabedra, Noble Morris, and Safiya Morris, his great-grandchildren, Wyatt Collishaw and Sofia Collishaw, and countless friends and church family.

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