Joe Wesley Speed was born December 12, 1915 to the parentage of William Calahan and Effie King Speed in Kossee, Texas (Limestone County). He relocated to Ellis County and joined the Army where he completed his education under the GI Bill. While serving in the Army, he earned a brown belt in judo and received the “Asiatic Pacific Campaign Meal”-WWII ribbon.

After returning to Ellis County he met and married the love of his life, Ura B. Frazier and to this union three children were born: Connie, Valier and Christopher.

He was a life long member of Union Missionary Baptist Church. He worked in construction and retired at the age of 84 as a maintenance worker with the Green Thump Program due to failing health.

He loved to listen to a variety of music which included gospel and country. He had a fondness of wearing Stetson hats and western boots. He called himself “Mr. Fancy Boots” and would greet friends or strangers by saying “hey daddy-o or hey cat.”

He instilled in his children to speak loudly and clearly in order to be understood and to look in the eyes of the person they were speaking to, stand boldly and with confidence and never to look down at their feet or scratch their head to take away from the message they were conveying. He also instilled in them to speak with proper pronunciation of words. He would say even if you live in the country you didn’t have to speak like it.

He shared his musical talents vocally in his earlier years by singing with a gospel quartet and he could play the guitar and piano.

He mentored his grandchildren not only as a grandfather but as a father and as an inspiring critic to perfect themselves and be prepared for life as they many adversities that the journey presents.

In his contended life she shared his wisdom in words spoken and his love extended in his preparation for his external departure. His request (this is paraphrased) “You have your car? When you leave will you take me with you, and if you can’t take me all the way if you would just take me piece of the way, I’ll be able to go the rest of the way by myself.” We believe he was preparing for his departure. He had to feel and see in our faces that he had adequately prepared us for such time as we experienced on June 7th.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and six sisters. His wife of 52 years Ura B. and grandson Timothy Fleming, Sr.

Celebrating his memory: Christopher (Marilyn) Speed, Connie (Raymond) McDavid, Valerie (Donnell) Nickerson all if Italy. Grandsons: Andre Speed of Corsicana, Steven (Regina) Lusk of Ennis, Byron (Karen) Luck, Darrin (Amanda) Lusk, Kevin (Christy) Fleming, Vincent (Selena) Flemin, Kelwin Turner, Kendrick Turner all if Italy, and Warren (Toni) Turner of Hillsboro. Nine great granddaughters, one sister, Lummer Alexander of Dallas.

VIEWING
Friday June 11, 2010, 11AM – 630PM at Jackson Community Funeral Home

WAKE
Friday June 11, 2010, 7PM TO 8PM at Jackson Community Funeral Home

FUNERAL
Saturday June 12, 2010, 1PM at Coming of Christ Full Gospel Church

QUALITY AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICE PROVIDED BY
Jackson Community Funeral Home