A tribute written by Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director, North Carolina Council of Churches, and Isaac Villegas, Governing Board President, North Carolina Council of Churches.
By now most of us have heard the hard news that the Rev. Dr. T. Anthony Spearman died Tuesday evening. Our hearts are breaking for his family, his friends, and his countless allies in the work of God’s justice. As his friends and justice allies at the North Carolina Council of Churches, we are in mourning.
While acknowledging our grief, it is his life of passion and progress that we want to lift up. He was President of our Governing Board just prior to the pandemic. The pandemic has changed our lives in so many ways that it’s hard to remember what was going on in the years just before. Indeed, those were the years just after the Emmanuel AME terrorist attack in Charleston, S.C., an event that portended much of the racial violence and gun violence that has swept our country in recent months. As a new Executive Director in those days, Dr. Spearman’s counsel was invaluable to me in helping steer the position of the Council.
I came to learn that this was his modus operandi. He offered consistent and wise counsel across a plethora of justice issues. He was a champion for the LGBTQ community, a critic of the criminal justice discrepancies plaguing our nation, and a strategist for change. He didn’t just talk about what needed to happen. He helped make it happen and he did all of this with just the right touch of challenge and compassion.
Those of us who worked with him are better for watching his style. Those of us who knew him are better for the benefit of his counsel. Those who never worked with him or knew him are also better because he put forth great energy and passion to make the world around us a better place. We have all benefited from the gift of T. Anthony Spearman’s life, calling us to be the best we can be. His life of ministry in the church and on the streets was a testimony to God’s love for this world.
Thanks be to God for T. Anthony Spearman. May the peace of Christ rest upon all his family and friends.
I continue to be so very sad about Dr. Spearman’s sudden departure, but feel certain of heaven’s gain. He could look into one’s eyes, associate with that one’s spirit, read the writing on that one’s soul, make a connection, leave an impact of kindness, compassion, or tenderness–whatever the one needed–without making conversation or even ever exchanging a single word, plus remember having the previous silent but life-giving encounter at a future time. His effective ministry was BEing, and yet he was always also preaching, prophesying, speaking, and doing for the causes that required the presence, voice, witness, hands, feet, and backbone of Christ’s disciple. That’s not just discipline, education, skill, and dedication in ministry–that is the enabling Holy Spirit at work in the baptized, called, ordained clergy who puts hand to the plow and keeps looking and moving forward, onward, outward, and upward.
The world lost a giant. He was there for everybody. He built a church in Hickory North Carolina win the rest of the world said it couldn’t be done. He kept the city officials on there toes about all people. May God bless the Spearman family.
Praise to the Most-High God for lending this vessel to the world. The works of the One who sent him was made manifest (through him) in the places where hurt, despair, and injustice assailed mightily. What an honor to have known Rev. Dr. T. Anthony Spearman, and to have witnessed such grace and love under pressure. For those whom he loved greatly and for those who loved him equally as much, we pray. May the healing balm of God now cover all hurt places; and may the Omniscient One help us to accept that which we cannot know, understand nor change, and strengthen us to embrace a very present help and hope for the future. We shall not see him on this earthly plain again, but his works will continue to bear witness that this was truly a man of God.
To the Spearman family may our Lord and Savior continue to bless you during this time of transition, we know that Dr. Spearman stood for justice, the poor, the misunderstood. He will be dearly missed, but we must pick up the torch and follow in his footsteps for freedom
This is an outstanding tribute to a soldier servant who fought for justice for many. My heart breaks, nothing but love can prevail. May God’s love lift family and all those who knew him as a true friend.
Thank you for such a beautiful tribute! I had the opportunity to sit under his teaching at a Christian Education Convention. A truly wonderful, caring, visionary person who took time to share his knowledge.
My husband and I stopped by to visit with him while he was spending all his days and nights outside the Governor’s mansion. He acted like we were his best friends even though we had only just met him, and he stayed in touch via text afterwards. I was moved by his dedication to the cause of criminal justice. Such a kind, personable man. He will be sorely missed.
11 years ago today (23 July,2011) My wife and I received marriage counseling and was married on this day from.Reverend Spearman and we are so grateful for his teaching, counseling and LOVE.
May GOD hold you close in his arms.
Not only did he marry my husband and I. Rev. Dr. Spearman baptized my son at Clinton Tabernacle Ame. Zion
Church is Hickory, NC. When I heard that he had died, I couldn’t believe it. Why would someone hurt such a spiritual, God Loving Man!
My heart hurts for the family. I will continue to pray for the family!
Rest in Power, Rev. Spearman. You fought the good fight, you finished the course set before you, and you kept the faith. Your influence cannot be measured, you blessed all who ever joined hands with you in a justice struggle, you loved deeply and set an example to us all that we must never give up the struggle. We fight on with your witness ever before us.
We are thankful for the extensive contributions this great man of God made to the kingdom of God and to the world. May God Almighty cover and comfort his beautiful family during this challenging time. His contributions for equality and justice for all are eternal, and he will never be forgotten!
He was a calm spirit in my early days of ministry while in seminary. I have never forgotten his calm yet encouraging words that affirmed my calling. I grieve with all.
So sad to hear this. Rev Spearman was a fighter for justice and a quiet voice of calm and reassurance to others. I will miss him and honor his life. He loved dogs. He camped outside the Governor’s mansion to call for pardons for those unjustly convicted. God grant him and his family prace.
Wonderful tribute to a visionary leader. Thank you, Jennifer.
He was a great and forceful servant leader. My heart is broken.
Thanks for a wonderful tribute we lost a visionary leader, at a time when we really need more like Reverend Spearman.
So grateful for his generosity of spirit and fierce advocacy.