Mrs. Lillian P. Speas
September 21, 2014
Lillian Payne Speas May 6, 1918 - September 19, 2014
Another rose was picked from God's flower garden on Friday, September 19, 2014. Lillian P. Speas succumbed to the master's picking at Forsyth Medical Center in Winston Salem. Lillian Doretha Payne Speas was born to Ellis and Della Mae Payne in the community of Tobaccoville where she lived most of her life. She was the widow of the late Rev. Lester B. Speas, Sr. and for 45 years they served in God's vineyard throughout the Western North Carolina Conference of the A.M.E. Zion Church. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by sister, Margaret Linton, and brothers; Robert and Woodrow Payne; her children; Wilma Ijames, Oscar and Cornelius Speas. Surviving are a brother; Charlie Payne; a son; Lester B. Speas, Jr. of Winston Salem; three daughters; Delores (John) Harris, Ann Leak (Harry Caldwell), Rev. Belinda (Alfonza) Harris all of Tobaccoville. "Granny's flower garden included 24 grandchildren, 31 great-grand and 11 great-great grandchildren. Along the garden path were daughter-in-laws; Elizabeth V., Mary Ann and Bertha Speas, sister-in-law, Mary Frances Payne and brother in-law; Marthaniel Linton, several nieces and nephews. Over a 40-year span, she was a floral designer at Boyles Florist and Talley's Flower Shop in King, NC and Cozart's Florist in Winston Salem. She taught designing as well as acquired oriental designing techniques from the North Carolina Floral Association in Raleigh, North Carolina and the NC and FTDI Telefora Association. She was a faithful and life-long member of Center Grove A.M.E. Zion Church in Tobaccoville, where family members will receive friends on Tuesday, September 23,2014 at 1 o'clock. Eulogistic Service will follow at 2pm.
Another rose was picked from God's flower garden on Friday, September 19, 2014. Lillian P. Speas succumbed to the master's picking at Forsyth Medical Center in Winston Salem. Lillian Doretha Payne Speas was born to Ellis and Della Mae Payne in the community of Tobaccoville where she lived most of her life. She was the widow of the late Rev. Lester B. Speas, Sr. and for 45 years they served in God's vineyard throughout the Western North Carolina Conference of the A.M.E. Zion Church. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by sister, Margaret Linton, and brothers; Robert and Woodrow Payne; her children; Wilma Ijames, Oscar and Cornelius Speas. Surviving are a brother; Charlie Payne; a son; Lester B. Speas, Jr. of Winston Salem; three daughters; Delores (John) Harris, Ann Leak (Harry Caldwell), Rev. Belinda (Alfonza) Harris all of Tobaccoville. "Granny's flower garden included 24 grandchildren, 31 great-grand and 11 great-great grandchildren. Along the garden path were daughter-in-laws; Elizabeth V., Mary Ann and Bertha Speas, sister-in-law, Mary Frances Payne and brother in-law; Marthaniel Linton, several nieces and nephews. Over a 40-year span, she was a floral designer at Boyles Florist and Talley's Flower Shop in King, NC and Cozart's Florist in Winston Salem. She taught designing as well as acquired oriental designing techniques from the North Carolina Floral Association in Raleigh, North Carolina and the NC and FTDI Telefora Association. She was a faithful and life-long member of Center Grove A.M.E. Zion Church in Tobaccoville, where family members will receive friends on Tuesday, September 23,2014 at 1 o'clock. Eulogistic Service will follow at 2pm.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Building Fund Project at Center Grove A.ME. Zion Church, PO Box 268, Tobaccoville,NC 27050.
For a copy of the funeral program, click here