"2022 is when I first started this journey," said Spicely's second cousin Cynthia Mitchell, as she referenced a book. "Most of the stories came from this book."
Mitchell has dedicated the last three years of her life to learning more about her cousin. She told ABC11 that Spicely would be proud to know the great lengths his loved ones had gone to through the years to keep his name alive.
"I think he would have been humble and been very much like my grandfather. Very self-assured, knowing what he did was the right thing," she said.
In 1944, Spicely was stationed at Camp Butner and on leave visiting friends in Durham. He was seated on a local bus and in uniform when the bus driver ordered him to give up his seat for white soldiers who had just gotten on board. He refused and eventually got off the bus. The bus driver shot him. A nearby hospital denied him medical care because of the color of his skin, and he later died. As for the bus driver, he was acquitted by an all-white jury.
Spicely took a stand many years before Civil Rights leader Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat.
In 2023, ABC11 covered the unveiling ceremony of the historical marker recognizing Spicely.
"Violence is perpetrated by white folks, and there is no apparent justice on the other side of that. That's a story that's been going on for many, many years. Here in Durham, it happened," said Museum of Durham History Director of Development Treat Harvey.
Download the ABC11 News App