Tessie Bennett Speaks

Tessie Bennett Speaks, 83, of Union Grove, went home to her Heavely Father on Wednesday, October 11, 2017 at Iredell Memorial Hospital. She was born in Iredell County on April 14, 1934 to the late Roy and Pearlie Mae Mullis Bennett. Mrs. Speaks attended Union Grove School and was married on November 4, 1946 to Ed Curtis Speaks, who preceded her death. She was a homemaker and a member of Grassy Knob Baptist Church. She was an expert seamstress and enjoyed singing for the Lord in the church choir. She was a number One Mom, Grandmother, Great Grandmother and Mother-In-Law. Along with her parents and husband, Ed, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Betty Lou Huffman; one brother, Willie Bennett; and one sister, Louise B. Warren. Left to cherish her memory are three sons, Junior Speaks of Statesville, Billy Speaks (Bobbie) of Hamptonville, and Richard Speaks (Pat) of Union Grove; two daughters, Denise S. Williams (Al) of Union Grove and Almedia S. Campbell (Charles)of Statesville, eleven grandchildren; and 17 great grandchildren. Funeral services for Mrs. Speaks will be held at 3:00 P.M. Sunday at Grassy Knob Baptist Church with Dr. Chris Thompson, Rev. Scott Chenevey and Rev. Jacob Scott officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will visit with friends and the body will lie in state in the church sanctuary from 1:30 until 3:00 prior to the service. Pallbearers will be: Loren and Corey Speaks, Edward and Anthony Williams and Jonathan and Felix Campbell. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.nicholsonfunerals.com. Memorials may be given to the American Diabetes Association, 1300 Baxter St. Suite 150, Charlotte, N.C. 28204 or to Grassy Knob Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, C/O Edward Shumaker, 291 Aycock Rd., Statesville, N.C. 28625. Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family.