James Earl Speed, 64, of Clayton, passed away June 5, 2017. His family surrounded him as he went to be with the Lord.
James was a devout Christian, and served the Lord as a deacon of the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church. He taught Sunday school for over 35 years, and shared his love of God through his music and in song. James enjoyed the outdoors, and enjoyed hunting and fishing, as well as farming.
In his professional life, he worked as a landscaper for 35 years. His family was also very important to him, and his love for his wife, children and grandchildren was apparent in all that he did.
Preceding James in death was, his father, John Pick Speed; one brother, Donny Ray Speed; son-in-law, Marty Ramey.
His survivors include his mother, Mary Grace Cobb Speed; his wife, Ruth Gail Patterson Speed; one son, Richard Pick Speed (Joy), of Easley, South Carolina; one daughter, Martha Ramey, of Clayton; two brothers, Johnny and Michael Speed, both of Clayton; two sisters, Debbie Page and Judy O’Shields, both of Clayton; and three grandchildren, Jolie Ramey, Gavin Ramey and John Pick Speed.
The family will receive friends today at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church from 6–8 p.m.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, June 9, 2017, at the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church at 1 p.m., with the Rev. Mickey Woods and the Rev. Raymond Page officiating. Interment will follow the service in the church cemetery.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Sid Weber Memorial Cancer Fund P.O. Box 485 Rabun Gap, Georgia 30568
Beck Funeral Home, in Clayton, is in charge of the arrangements. An online memorial register book is available at www.beckfuneralhome.com.
The Clayton Tribune, June 8, 2017