James "J" Spears

SKIPPERVILLE…James “J” Spears, a resident of Skipperville, died early Saturday morning, July 5, 2025, as a result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident in Skipperville. He was 18.

Celebration of Life Services will be held at 4:00 P.M. Sunday, July 13, 2025, in the Daleville First Methodist Church with Pastor Lee Jones officiating. The family will receive friends 3:00 until 4:00 P.M. in the church sanctuary. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements.

James was raised in the small town of Daleville, Alabama, a place he called home with pride and where he built a lifetime of memories with the people who loved him most. He graduated from Daleville High School in 2025, and although he wasn’t sure, yet which path he wanted to take in life, James approached each day with an open heart, an easygoing spirit, and a smile that could light up a room.

Anyone who knew James would agree—he was one of a kind. He had this incredible way of making friends everywhere he went, and he didn’t just meet people—he connected with them. Whether it was cracking a painfully cheesy “dad” joke that made you groan and laugh at the same time or just showing up when you needed a helping hand, James made people feel seen and appreciated. He had that rare gift of making others feel better just by being around.

He loved hanging out with his friends and family, those moments, big and small, meant the world to him. And when music came on, oh, you better believe James would break out into one of his signature dance moves, especially if it was to one of his favorite guilty pleasures—what he called “white teen girl music.” Miley Cyrus, Katy Perry, Avril Lavigne, you name it. He danced like nobody was watching, and even when everybody was, he didn’t care. That was James: unapologetically joyful, full of life, and always down to make people laugh.

One thing that made him especially proud recently was the opportunity to be considered for a shift manager position at Arby’s in Enterprise. His General Manager saw something in him—his work ethic, his kindness, and his leadership—and James was genuinely thrilled about what the future might hold. He may not have had it all figured out yet, but he was excited, hopeful, and ready for whatever came next.

He was a passionate fan of Ohio State football—Saturdays were for cheering, shouting at the TV, and maybe a little trash talk if his team was doing well. He also had a deep love for 80s music; those upbeat tunes and timeless ballads were always playing in the background of his life. Outdoors, he found peace in hunting and fishing—some of his favorite days were spent out in nature, soaking up the quiet and enjoying the simple things with his girlfriend, Rayleigh Napper.

James was preceded in death by his grandfather, Mark McCarthy. James may have only just started his journey into adulthood, but in his short time, he made a big impact. He made people laugh. He made them feel loved. He made the world a little brighter—just by being himself. And while his absence leaves a deep ache in the hearts of those who knew and loved him, his memory will live on in every shared joke, every familiar song, and every moment of unexpected joy.

Surviving relatives include his father, James Spears, Daleville, mother, Kristin Rhodes (Jamie), Skipperville; grandparents, (1st Sergeant, United States Army, Retired) Jim Spears (Sherry), Daleville, Karen Dye (David), Enterprise, Ann McCarthy, Gainesville, Georgia, Jeff Rhodes (Barbara), Ozark, and Patricia Stevens, Skipperville; great-grandfather, Ed Rhodes (Gayle), Bertha Community; two sisters, Angel Rhodes and Arabella Rhodes, both of Skipperville; brothers, Mikel Spears and Ethan Napper; aunts and uncles, Tracey Potnzer (Zane), Amanda Spears (Larry Clark), (CW4, United States Army) Sean Spears (Michelle), Traci Hammett (Mark), Sarah Rudd (Trevor), Matthew Dye (Lindsey), and Brianna McCarthy; several cousins