In Memoriam — Levy John “L.J.” Spivey
Levy John (L.J.) Spivey, age 86, of CMC Limousin, McDonough, Georgia, passed away July 17, 2024. He was born to Levy and Lessie Jones Spivey on September 9, 1937. His father died when he was very young and he was reared by his mother and stepfather, Lessie and Enoch Bradley. His formative years spent on the family farm in Tattnall County instilled the core values by which he lived. He graduated from Reidsville High School in 1955 and went on to graduate from Georgia Tech with a degree in chemical engineering in 1960. His career started in Richmond, Virginia, at Dupont, the company which he had worked for through the Co-op plan in college.
If you ask anyone to describe L.J., you would hear the words brilliant, planner, visionary, analytical, demanding and strong willed. These traits served him well as he started his own business, Ceramic and Metal Coatings Corporation (CMC). In a March 6, 1975 article in The Tattnall Journal, L.J. was described as an astute young man who converted his ideas into a thriving business venture. The corporation grew and expanded over the years, and he was joined by his sons, John and Brad.
L.J. developed many lifelong friendships throughout his love of Limousin cattle. He was active in the Limousin breed and traveled the country attending shows and sales. He was a partner in a cattle ranch in South Dakota as well as raising cattle on his own ranch in Georgia.
As his children grew up, he relived his love of athletics through their participation in sports. When he decided the local facilities were not adequate, he and a group of friends organized and funded a new complex.
L.J. was preceded in death by his parents, Levy Spivey, Enoch and Lessie Jones Bradley and his sister, Retha Spivey Standard.
L.J. is survived by his wife of 65 years, Mary Jacquelyn Clements Spivey; and their four children, Sherry (Terrell) Scott of McDonough, Georgia; John (Nancy) Spivey of Forsyth, Georgia; Brad (Tina) Spivey of Barnesville, Georgia; and Dr. Mark (Tonya) Spivey of Savannah, Georgia. He was the proud grandfather of Terrell Scott, Darryl Levy Scott, Peaches Osborne, Dr. John Casey Spivey, Autumn Ayer, Ashley Thompson, Dalton Spivey, Stone Spivey and Hollyann Spivey. He is also survived by two brothers, Jesse (Marsha) Bradley and Jerry (Linda) Bradley. Seventeen great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews also cherish his memory.
L.J. has been described as “a force.” This force has quieted and slipped away, but his memory will stay.
Memorial contributions may be made to Battle Creek Baptist Church Cemetery Fund c/o Glenda and Jesse Cranford, 323 Cranford Lane, Reidsville, GA 30453 or Paul Anderson Youth Home, PO Box 525, Vidalia, GA 30475.