Brent Mears

Brent Rolley Mears, 92, husband of Shirley Clayton Mears and a native of Capeville, VA, passed away Monday, June 15,2026, peacefully in his home surrounded by the love, prayers, and endearing voices of his family. He was the son of the late Upshur Lee Mears and the late Estelle "Miss Pat" Mears as well as the brother of ten siblings. Brent was raised in lower Northampton County in the quiet community of Cedar Grove, VA. He was a member of Lower Northampton Baptist Church having come to know the love of Jesus thirty plus years ago. A hardworking family man, he was married to Shirley for seventy amazing years.

He is survived by his children Brenda Ames and husband Calvin, Wayne Mears and wife Mary Lena, Mark Mears and wife Debbie and Jeanee Dentler; grandchildren Rose Gardiner, Autumn Rush (Don), Dione Neely (Darryl), Shena Mears, Brent Mears, Rebecca Reynolds, Brody Dentler and Tristan Dentler; great grandchildren Ariel Vongkunthong (Danny), Clay Rush, Jonas Rush (Liz), Eden Rush, Jouleycie Rush, Tony Herrera, Janae Neely, Aleena Neely, Gray Spurlock, Richard Rush, Ron Albert Gardiner, Olivia Spurlock, Lula Gardiner, Jackson Mears, Emarie Mears; great-great grandchild Ivy Vongkunthong; sister Elizabeth "Goodie" Corkery; brother William "Billy" "Doo Dah" Mears as well as many nieces, nephews and family. He was predeceased by brothers Bedford, Luther Lee, Jack, James, Emery and sisters, Phyllis, Judy, and Essie.

Without question, Brent was a survivor with an amazing gift of self-determination, fortitude, and constitution. Having contracted polio at the age of two, he endured having to wear a heavy leg brace throughout his life. Did this stop him or slow him down...no! His children will tell you, this never slowed him down even when chasing after them through the yard if they had misbehaved…he always caught them.

He went on in life to hauling local farm produce up and down the eastern seaboard. With the upper body strength, he acquired to compensate for his polio leg - he would pull himself up easily to the high cab of a tractor trailer and with his bare arms could easily swing up into the cab. After truck driving for many years, he became the mechanic for a local potato farmer and dear friend, Russell Kellam. Again, this determination made him a priceless asset to the farm, as nothing stopped him from working on and driving the largest and heaviest farm equipment.

He earned great admiration and respect from hard working farm hands, farmers, waterman, and the like by being a man of his word and a man who would let no obstacle stand in his way. When others would have given up - Brent Rolley Mears rose above.

The Mears family would like to express their deep appreciation and thanks to the Riverside Palliative and the Riverside Hospice nurses and aides for the love and care they selflessly gave our loved one. All were precious Godsends.

Graveside service will be conducted at the Capeville Masonic Cemetery on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at 11:00 AM, with Reverend Jeff Conrow officiating. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Lower Northampton Baptist Church c/o Annette Brown, 5425 Tyson Circle, Cape Charles, VA 23310.

Online condolences can be made at www.doughtyfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements made by Doughty Funeral Home in Exmore, Virginia.