Selena Diane Spears, age 74 of Altoona, Alabama, passed away on February 18, 2023, with her family by her side. She was born to Ellis H. and I.V. Vaughn March 11, 1948 in Gadsden, Alabama. Diane graduated from Walnut Grove High School in 1966 and married her sweetheart, James Michael Spears in 1967. Together, they raised three children and lived a life that honored the Lord. They were devoted members of Welcome Home F.C.M. Church, where she was the pianist, and in 1984, they formed a gospel singing group, known as The Gospel Echoes. They traveled and sang for fourteen years until her health declined. She was immensely proud of her family and left a legacy of love that will forever be cherished by her children and grandchildren. She is survived by her three children, Kelly Spears Gibson (Chad); Christopher Michael Spears (Lisa); and Clay Ellis Spears (Joy). She is also survived by eight grandchildren, two honorary grandchildren, four great grandchildren, and one honorary great-grandson. She is preceded in death by her parents, Ellis H. and I.V. Vaughn, three sisters, one brother, her husband, James Michael Spears in 2018, and one great-grandson in 2022.
Visitation will be held on Friday evening, February 24, 2023 from 5:00-7:00 pm at Albertville Memorial Funeral Home. She will lie in state on Saturday morning, February 25, 2023 at Welcome Home F.C.M. Church in Douglas, Alabama from 10:00 – 11:00 am and a service will be held at 11:00 am, followed by burial at Pineview F.C.M. Church Cemetery in Altoona, Alabama.
