Jean Christine Donaldson-Spears Tribute

In the year of 1997, during a somewhat hot summer, a lady stood at a copy machine, not just a lady but a correctional counselor at the California Rehabilitation Center in Norco Ca. A young man had heard that a Counselor had a very spiritual background and loved music.

This young man had a buring desire to keep the chapel program open and asked the smiling lady, "would you sponsor our choir, for we can not have rehearsals with no sponsor." Her immediate response was, "Oh no, cant do it."

The young man being an inmate was saved and delivered from a sordid past, and held that that no had to be yes. One week later she approached the young man and said, "What is you name?" I responded, "My name is Chavis." She smiled and said, "Get the men ready for rehearsing."

The first rehearsal had over 65 voices, but later only the faithful, saved and delivered men of God would hang in there, for Ms. Spears played no games, God first!

I am that young man, I am Lemuel Chavis, II., I was the founder and of the Voices of Holiness at CRC, with my adopted mom, Ms. JC Donaldson-Spears, being at the helm as sponsor. This page could not contain all the victorious stories that we shared, the Holy Ghost filled services and concerts that were held behind prison walls, you had to be there.

During her last year as sponsor, we endeavored to do what no other prison had done in So California and that was to purchase our own robes. Ms. Spears worked, mailed and we sought family and friends as well as our own money to purchase 30 robes and not one penny came from the State. During our robe dedication, I surprised momma Spears with one of her favorite songs, "I Shall Wear A Crown." I will never forget that night nor this great woman of God.

Though my heart was sadden a year ago, I am so glad that I have found this page in tribute of such a great woman. She inspired me to be who I am today, not looking at my fall, not looking at my past setbacks, but learning to seek forgiveness of self and of others, and turn my setbacks into comebacks.
Now I am Saved, Called and Chosen by God, and was ordained the month of her passing. Yes, I am a product of positive change and a life rooted and grounded in Christ being taught and inspired by Momma Spears.

Yes you are wearing a crown, you are wearing your garments of praise, you are telling the story how you made it over, you have made it home.
God Bless you momma Spears, and remember to all on this side, "Spirit was never born and Spirit never dies." The spirit of this Woman of God, is yet a part of each of us of whom she touched along the way.

Founder and Past Director of the Voices of Holiness (CRC/NORCO)

Elder Lemuel OT Chavis II (Yelp, Momma, ELDER)........