Mr. Brent Rolley Mears, 92, husband of Shirley Clayton Mears and a native of Capeville, 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 10 siblings.
Brent was raised in lower Northampton County in the quiet community of Cedar Grove. He was a member of Lower Northampton Baptist Church, having come to know the love of Jesus 30-plus years ago. A hardworking family man, he was married to Shirley for 70 amazing years.
He is survived by his children, Brenda Ames and her husband, Calvin, Wayne Mears and his wife, Mary Lena, Mark Mears and his wife, Debbie, and Jeanee Dentler; his grandchildren Rose Gardiner, Autumn Rush (Don), Dione Neely (Darryl), Shena Mears, Brent Mears, Rebecca Reynolds, Brody Dentler, and Tristan Dentler; his 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, and Emarie Mears; his great-great grandchild, Ivy Vongkunthong; his sister, Elizabeth “Goodie” Corkery; his brother William “Billy” “Doo Dah” Mears; as well as many nieces, nephews, and family.
He was predeceased by his brothers, Bedford, Luther Lee, Jack, James, and Emery, and his sisters, Phyllis, Judy, and Essie.
Without question, Brent was a survivor with the amazing gifts of self-determination, fortitude, and constitution. Having contracted polio at the age of 2, 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 — whenever he chased after them through the yard if they had misbehaved, he always caught them.
He went on in life, hauling local farm produce up and down the Eastern Seaboard. With the upper body strength he had acquired to compensate for his polio-affected leg, he would pull himself up easily to the high cab of a tractor-trailer, and with his bare arms he could easily swing up into the cab.
After driving for many years, he became the mechanic for a local potato farmer and dear friend, Russell Kellam. Again, his 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 hardworking farmhands, farmers, watermen, 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 deep appreciation and thanks to the Riverside Palliative and the Riverside Hospice nurses and aides for the love and care they selflessly gave Brent. All were precious godsends.
A graveside service will be conducted at the Capeville Masonic Cemetery on Saturday, June 20, at 11 a.m., with the Rev. 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 were made by Doughty Funeral Home in Exmore.
