Dale Mears

Robin Dale Mears passed away June 30, 2017, at his home in Onley, VA, with his family and dear friend, Dave Phipps, by his side.  He was 57.

Born on September 8, 1959 in Nassawadox, VA, and raised in Southside Chesconessex, VA, he was a son of Lois A. Mears of Parksley, VA, formerly of Southside Chesconessex and the late Robert Olin Mears.  Dale graduated from Onancock High School (1979) and began working with the Forestry Department shortly thereafter.  He later joined the Accomack County Sheriff’s Department, where he worked as a correctional officer from 1981 to 1997.  Following his retirement from ACSD, he worked for the town of Onancock and Accomack County until his illness no longer allowed him to work.

Throughout his childhood, Dale attended Riverview United Methodist Church in Southside Chesconessex, and later New Testament in Deep Creek, VA.  He enjoyed nature and all it had to offer, along with fishing, playing golf, music, reading, and he especially enjoyed spending time with his friends and family.  He was addressed as “Uncle Dale” by not only his nephew, Tommy, but Tommy’s friends as well.  There was never a hungry animal in Dale’s path, great or small, all accompanied by a gentle greeting.  He was a kind and gentle soul to all that knew him and will be greatly missed.

In addition to his mother, Dale is survived by his wife, Wanda Spence Mears of Onley; his fur children, Pippa, Cujo, Mavis, and Patch; sister, Joann Mears Russell and her husband Walter T. Russell, Jr. (Tom) of Onancock, VA; nephew, Walter T. Russell III of Honolulu, HI; dearest friend, David Phipps of Locustville, VA; aunts, Millicent Gibbons of Guilford, VA, Louetta Gibbons of  Melfa, VA, and Rosemary Gibbons of Bloxom, VA; uncle,  Johnny Gibbons of Bloxom; cousins, Robert Honeycutt of Angier, NC, Jeri Aaron of Waco, TX, Diane Scholl of Fuquay-Varina, NC, Johnny Gibbons of Temperanceville, VA, Richard Gibbons of Parksley, Lisa Gibbons Sharpley of Stockton, MD, Debbie Bagwell of Bloxom, and Tammy Gibbons of Melfa, Debbie Annis Mears of Onancock, VA, Teresa Annis of Greenbush, VA, Tammy Johnson Pruitt of Onancock, Tommy Lewis of Exmore, VA, Mike Lewis of Cashville, VA, Beverley Jefferson of Tasley, VA, Julie Harrington of Windsor, VA; great-nieces and great-nephews, Elijah, Bella ,DJ, and Lilly Mears.

Other than his father, Dale was predeceased his brother, Robert O. Mears, Jr. (Bobby), paternal grandparents, George and Evelyn Mears; maternal grandparents, Braden and Myrtle Gibbons; aunt and uncles, Aubrey and Frances Honeycutt, Edward Gibbons, Richard Gibbons (Dickie); and cousin, Diana Gibbons Bonniwell. 

Funeral services conducted from the chapel of the Williams-Onancock Funeral Home on Saturday, July 8, 2017 at 2:00 p.m., with The Reverend William Jefferson officiating.  Interment in the Mount Holly Cemetery. 

Memorial contributions may be made to the S.P.C.A., P.O. Box 164, Onley, VA 23418 or to Riverside Shore Hospice, P.O. Box 616, Onley, VA 23418.

Memory tributes may be shared with the family at www.williamsfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements by the Williams-Onancock Funeral Home.