Sara Janrae Archer Spears

On February 5, 2013 Sara Janrae Archer Spears went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and to be with the love of her life, Bill. Janrae was the daughter of the late Charles Edward Archer and the late Mattie Sue Cotton Archer. She was the sister to Ida Archer Winslow, the late George Archer, and Harry Archer. She was the wife of the late William M. Spears. She was the Mother to William "Kelley" Spears, the late Daniel Spears and his wife Debra, Christopher Spears and his wife Mamie, and Susan Holloway and her husband Chris. She was the grandmother to Amanda Hewitt, Christopher S. Spears, Kayla Spears, Timothy Spears, Erin Holloway, Sara Spears, Nicholas Spears, and Mia Jarman. She was the great grandmother to Jonathan Hewitt. And she was the aunt and great aunt to many nieces and nephews. There were three roles in life that Janrae pursued and held very dear to her heart - daughter, wife, and mother. These roles were a delicate balance of love, strength and trials. As a daughter, she was devoted to her Mother who was her hero. Janrae saw her as a stronghold in her life. Janrae learned devotion to family from her. When life became difficult for her family as a child, Janrae learned strength from her Mother while she held her family together. She learned how to cook from her. Janrae became famous for skills in the kitchen as she planned elaborate Christmas parties, wedding receptions, graduation parties, and many other events and holidays. Janrae loved her Mother and took care of her while she suffered with Alzheimer's disease for thirteen years. Her devotion to her Mother was unparalleled. Janrae married her high school sweetheart, Bill. They were married for 50 years in 2007. Janrae adored Bill. She started dating Bill when she was 15, and she won his heart with her cooking! Every Sunday, he would come over for a date and a home cooked meal. After three years of dating, they eloped to NC. After marriage, they quickly started a family and had four children. Janrae was a homemaker while Bill worked two jobs as a fireman and painter. The early years were lean, but it was the time where she passed on her passions to her children. She taught Kelley and Danny how to fish and play horseshoes. Kelley still fishes and Danny adored horseshoes. She passed to Chris the love of Christmas and family holidays. She taught Susan how to cook and bake. She taught all of us her love for animals. As Bill progressed with his education and career as a fireman, they were able to experience the world. Family vacations were taken at the beach, to Georgia, Disney World, even cruises to the Bahamas. Other trips were taken with just her and Bill and their dear friends the Sammons. They saw New York, Alaska, Hawaii, California, Arizona, and Las Vegas. But her favorite trips were to be taken every fall to Lancaster, PA, where she would enjoy the good food and shop until she dropped. Bill had the patience of a Saint! When life slowed down, Janrae and Bill spent time with their church family at Good News Baptist Church. Janrae loved Bill. They enjoyed each other's company until he passed in 2008. Janrae's career was being a Mother. It was a role that she took very seriously. She loved her children and being a Mother brought her joy. She never wanted to be anything else. She took care of her family. She cooked fabulous meals for them. Every holiday had a homemade touch to it. But it was Christmas that she was known to all of us for. We would all help decorate the tree, wrap presents, and bake. Her children remember her and her Mother preparing for the annual Archer family Christmas party. It took two weeks to prepare for the event and everyone looked forward to it. She cooked for us, cleaned for us, and reared us the best way that she knew how. She did not just touch the lives of her children. She took care of many other children as well. She was mom to them when their moms couldn't be. When we all grew up, she was still a mother to Billy and DJ who we are so grateful for helping her over these last years. We want to thank Joy Wyatt and Bob and Bernie Turner for being such devoted friends to her over these last years. Your friendship was a comfort to her when she lost Bill. And to Pastor Coles, God gave you the knowledge to know when our mother needed you the most. Some of her last words were, "he is always there for me." Thank you all for your love. Her passing was sudden and we will miss her. But we are at peace because she is with the love of her life and her Lord. A visitation will be at Loving Funeral home on February 7 from 6:30 to 8:00. The Funeral will be at Good News Baptist Church on February 8 at 1:00 with burial to follow in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens