Jamie Spears
James Parnell Spears (born June 6, 1952)[a] is a retired construction business owner.[5] He is the father of Bryan Spears, Britney Spears, and Jamie Lynn Spears.
"James Spears" redirects here. For the American Union general, see James G. Spears.
Jamie Spears
Early life[edit]
James Parnell Spears was born to June Austin Spears,[6] and Emma Jean Spears (née Forbes).[7] When Jamie was five years old, his mother gave birth to his younger brother Austin, who died after only three days. After Austin's death, his mother attempted suicide on three separate occasions.[8] Despite obstacles established by the early tragedy, James did well in school, and in the eighth grade, made the honor roll at Kentwood High School.[1]
When James was only 14 years old, his mother Emma, who had been struggling to overcome the loss of her son Austin, left their family home in Kentwood, resulting in her being declared missing.[8] Emma arrived at Roberts Cemetery, the burial place of Austin, in nearby Osyka, Mississippi around 3:30pm on Sunday, May 29, 1966.[8] Her body was found by a caretaker around 10:30am on Monday, May 30, at the grave of Austin. According to the coroner, J.L. Glover, Emma had aimed a 12-gauge shotgun at her chest and pulled the trigger with the big-toe of her right-foot.[8]
James also survived a car accident that killed a football teammate aged 17.[9][10] His upbringing was difficult, as his daughter Jamie Lynn wrote in her memoir: "My father was raised by an abusive father who made unreasonable demands of his son in all aspects of his life. Daddy was forced to practice sports for hours at a time—past the point of exhaustion. For basketball, Paw-Paw June made Daddy shoot one hundred shots after practice. Daddy loved basketball, but his father made him abandon the court for the football field. He followed his father’s directive to play college football, knowing all along he would have been much more impactful as a basketball player."[11]
Personal life[edit]
Spears' first wife was Debbie Sanders Cross, who remains his friend.[10] In July 1976, he married his second wife, Lynne Irene Bridges. She filed for divorce in 1980, requesting a temporary restraining order, fearing that he would "become angry when he is served with these papers" and harass or harm her, "especially if he has been drinking alcoholic beverages, as he has done in the past." However, they reconciled, and Britney was born the following year.[10]
Jamie and Lynne Spears divorced in May 2002[44] and reconciled without remarrying around 2010.[45][46] They were seen still united in 2014,[47] but were evidently completely separated by 2020. They have three children: son Bryan Spears (born 1977) and daughters Britney Spears (born 1981) and Jamie Lynn Spears (born 1991). They also have five grandchildren.[48]
Spears struggled with alcohol later in life and eventually went to rehab in 2004.[49][50] He suffered a near-fatal colon rupture in November 2018.[51] Spears underwent emergency surgery and was hospitalized for 28 days.[52] In October 2023, People magazine reported that Spears was hospitalized with a bacterial infection, and has been recovering in an infectious disease outpatient facility. In December 2023, it was reported that one of his legs was amputated due to infection.[52][53]
