Sr. Ralph Speece

Ralph William Speece, Sr., 87, of Union Grove, N.C. passed away Saturday, March 24, 2012 at Gordon Hospice House following a brief illness. Mr. Speece was born June 16, 1924 in Iredell County and was the son of the late William Marshall and Treva McDaniels Speece. He attended Union Grove School and he was a veteran of the U.S. Army and he was a member of Ham's Grove Baptist Church. On September 2, 1955 he married Estelle Hutchens Speece, who survives. Mr. Speece was retired from Classic Leather which is formerly Statesville Chair where he worked in the finishing room. Along with his parents, Mr. Speece was also preceded in death by a brother, Herman M. Speece along with three sisters, Ruth Speece, Hazel S. Wilson and Wanda S. Campbell Ireland. In addition to his wife, Estelle H. Speece of the home, he is survived by two sons, R. William Speece, Jr. (Christine) and Daniel Lynn Speece, both of Union Grove and two grandsons, Eric Anthony Speece (Samantha) of Olin and Shannon Christopher Speece of Union Grove. He is further survived by a great-granddaughter, Harper Shae Speece along with two sisters, twin sister Ruby Speece Buchanan and Virginia Speece, both of Lumberton, N.C. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive. Funeral services for Mr. Speece will be conducted 2:30 pm Wednesday, March 28, 2012 at Ham's Grove Baptist Church with Rev. Jeremy Hickerson officiating. Burial will follow in the Ham's Grove Baptist Church cemetery. The family will visit with friends Tuesday evening from 6:00 until 7:30 pm at Nicholson Funeral Home. Active pallbearers will be Dennis Sharpe, Wayne Stewart, Robert Hutchens, Richard Hutchens, Mark Robbins and Rick Jordan. Honorary pallbearers will be Eric and Shannon Speece. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Gordon Hospice House, 2341 Simonton Road, Statesville, N.C. 28625. Online condolences can be made to the family at www.nicholsonfunerals.com/obituaries and Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family of Ralph Speece, Sr.