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Reverend M.O. Sears
 Reverend
Matthew Oneal Sears, 88, of Goldsboro, NC died Thursday, August 21st
at Pitt County Memorial Hospital.
The family will receive friends at the Seymour Funeral Home in
Goldsboro, NC, on Friday, August 22nd from 6 PM to 8 PM. A funeral
service will be at the Adamsville Baptist Church in Goldsboro on
Saturday, August 23rd at 11 AM. A 3:30 PM graveside service will
follow at the Montlawn Cemetery in Raleigh, NC.
Reverend Sears was married for 65 years to his wife Bonnie Allen
Sears. Their daughter, Jean Kirk lives in Goldsboro, NC. Son, Jimmy
and wife Nancy live in Raleigh, NC. He is survived by his sisters
Pansy Herndon of Cary, Rachel Yates of Shelby, Margaret Watson and
husband Clifton of Durham, brothers Daniel Sears of Raleigh, John
Sears and wife Maggie Belle of Cary. He was preceded in death by his
parents Fred and Bertha Sears of Morrisville, NC and brothers
Durwood, Berry, and Clair Sears of Durham. There are 9 grandchildren
and 14 great grandchildren. His grandchildren are Kenny Kirk and
Kevin Kirk of Goldsboro; Kerry Kirk and wife Diane of Farmington,
NY; Karen Mical and husband Jeff of Graham, NC; Kelly Kirk of
Orlando, Florida; Jimmie Hughes and husband David of Greenville, NC;
Lynn Harrison and husband Jim of Franklin, TN; Tonja Dewar and
husband Phillip of Apex, NC; and Amy Eggers and husband Mike of
Clayton, NC.
Reverend Sears held pastorates for 54 years in North Carolina
including Holly Springs Baptist, where he was ordained, Collins
Grove near Holly Springs, Shady Grove near New Hill, Pleasant Grove
and Baptist Grove near Fuquay-Varina, Baptist Chapel near Dunn,
Newport Baptist in Newport, Adamsville in Goldsboro, Pikeville First
in Pikeville, and Trinity of Goldsboro.
He is a graduate of Wake Forest College in Wake Forest, NC, and
received a Masters of Divinity at Southeastern Baptist Theological
Seminary in Wake Forest, NC. He served as chaplain of the Goldsboro
Civitan Club for over forty years until his death. He held various
positions in the Neuse Baptist Association including moderator. He
also held positions in the NC State Baptist Convention. His primary
focus in life was to lead people to know his Savior, Jesus Christ.
He was mentor to several who became pastors during his ministry.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial gifts be made to
special needs in one of the churches pastored by Reverend Sears.
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