GROVER CLEVELAND SPEARMAN III

Grover Cleveland Spearman III, passed away on January 4th, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri at the age of 74 years old. Proceeded in death by his Grandparents who raised him, Velma Depriest and Nash Depriest, his parents Grover C. Spearman Jr. and Sadie Mae Madison, his sisters Shirley Jackson, and Demarist “Peaches” Waters, his brothers, Nash Spearman, Stevie Spearman, and Maurice Madison, and the mother of his children, Ileana Watson.

Grover was born on September 8, 1949 in Chicago, Illinois to Grover C. Spearman Jr. and Sadie (Harris) Madison. He was raised in Kansas City, Kansas by his grandparents Nash and Velma DePriest. He attended St. Peter CME Church and was educated at Douglas Elementary, Northeast Junior High and graduated from Sumner High School in 1967. He joined the United States Army in 1968 and served honorably as a squad leader.

One of the greatest goals in life for Grover was to have a family of his own. He married Ileana Watson in 1976 and raised three children, Justin Leon Rhodeman (Ellen), Sada Kristin Jackson (Kenneth) and Ryan Christopher Spearman (Alexandra) in a loving home. His legacy expanded when he welcomed with great excitement his eight grandchildren, Sydney, Luka, Watson, Kendrix, Kreed, Charleigh, Ila and Maximus. He loved his children unconditionally and strove to be the best father that he could be. He never missed a chance to tell his children and grandchildren he loved them and often said he had the “greatest little family in the whole world!”

Grover worked diligently to provide for his family. His work ethic was top tier. He was an over the road truck driver for 46 years. He drove over 5 million miles coast to coast and according to him, he “loved every one of them.” He excelled so much as a trucker that in 1995 he became the first unanimous selection to America’s Road Team. He served as a National Spokesman for the American Trucking Association and would speak as a leading voice in the trucking industry all over the country.

Grover was a true friend to many. He was the kind of friend you could always count on. He didn't just talk the talk; he walked it, consistently putting in the effort to get things done. In a world where reliability is sometimes hard to come by, Grover stood out as someone you could depend on, making him a solid and reassuring presence. A devoted father, Grover instilled the values of hard work, love, and integrity in his children, leaving an indelible mark on their lives.

He leaves behind his beloved 3 children. His pride and joy, his 8 grandchildren. His 7 sisters Patricia Rose, Velma "Sugie" Mayo, Misty Bell, Barbara Spearman, Tahirih Spearman, Tina Spearman, and Bobbie Mickens. His 5 brothers Robert Spearman, O.D. Madison, Tommy Madison, Grover C. Spearman IV, and Russell Spearman, his closest friends Albert Gardner and George W. Dailey, and a host of loved ones.

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