Sam Speed

Funeral services for Sam Speed, age 95, of Sulphur Springs, will be conducted at First Baptist Church at 10:00 a.m, Wednesday, October 13, 2010, with Rev. Windel Swelling and Rev. Lyndon Petty officiating. Military graveside services, under the direction of the Hopkins County Military Coalition, will follow at Emblem Cemetery, with Lynn Speed, Ron Speed, Randy Speed, Gary Speed, Jr., J. D. Speed, Robert Ballard, Matthew Pryor and Greg Speed serving as pallbearers. Visitation will be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, October 12, 2010, at Murray-Orwosky Funeral Home.
Sam Speed passed away Sunday, October 10, 2010, at Dubuis Hospital of Paris. He was born in Boswell, Oklahoma on July 18, 1915, the son of Timothy Tip Speed and Symanthy Elizabeth (Lasater) Speed. He married Grace Jewel Ethridge October 12, 1947. She preceded him in death in 1989. He married Mattie Sue Rogers March of 1997. She preceded him in death in 2007. Mr. Speed attended East Texas Teachers College. He was a retired rancher and served as Hopkins County Treasurer and County Tax Assessor Collector . He was a longtime member of Davis Street Baptist Church where he served as minister of music and he served as a deacon for approximately 50 years. He was a member of the Sulphur Springs Chapter of Woodmen of the World and a member of Sulphur Springs Masonic Lodge 221 where in 2009, he received special recognition for oldest living member. He was also a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He served in the United States Army during World War II and received the Purple Heart award. Just this year, Hopkins County Judge, Cletis Millsap, presented Sam with a biographical proclamation naming January 31, 2010 "Sam Speed Day" throughout the county.
Survivors include: brother, Cleatus Speed and wife, Dortheal, of Posey; nieces and nephews, Bill Glossup, Kenneth Speed, Ruthie Barnett, Joe Williams, Brenda Ballard, Delbert Speed, Gary Speed, Lisa Pryor, William Speed, Jr. and Larry Speed. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Elmer Speed, Derwood Speed and Jody Speed and five sisters, Edith Glossup, Evie Robbins, Lucy Williams, Maymie Speed and Ida Speed. Memorials may be made to Texas Baptist Children's Home.