Zeb Speece

Zeb Marshall Speece, 85, of Union Grove, passed away Thursday, October 6, 2011, at Gordon Hospice House. Mr. Speece was born July 14, 1926 in Iredell County, and was the son of Fred Marshall Speece and Susie McDaniel's Speece. He was a graduate of Iredell l County Schools and on October 11, 1946 he married Betty Little Speece the love of his life, who preceded him in death on March 7, 1968. Zeb and Betty were married 22 years. In addition to his parents and wife, Mr. Speece was preceded in death by an infant son, Charles Kent Speece. He served in the United States Navy in World War II. He was stationed in San Bruno, California assigned to Cub 12. Prior to being sent overseas he was reassigned to the 104th Sea Bee's as a replacement on Leyette in the South Pacific's Third Fleet. He was present when General Douglas McArthur returned to Leyette and advanced on the Japanese. Prior to his enlistment Zeb was employed with the State Highway Commission. After he returned to North Carolina he was reinstated as a Department of Transportation employee and served in various positions with the highway department. Zeb retired as a Road Maintenance Supervisor on December 1, 1984 with 41 years of service. As you travel the highway system in Iredell County, you're riding on roads built and maintained by Zeb and the maintenance crews with NCDOT. He could look at a proposed road and take a motor grader and build a road without seeing a plan. He operated every piece of equipment that NCDOT had. The only piece of equipment that he never accomplished proficiently was the dragline dipping sand. He worked for Statesville Auto Auction for ten years after his retirement with NCDOT as a supervisor over the lane drivers. For 33 years he was the "Great Story Teller" for North Iredell Records. As his wife helped clients with their taxes, Zeb became the entertainment. Clients waited eagerly, but as soon as Zeb appeared in the waiting room, the tension subsided and laughter took over. Clients would even give up their time slot to let Zeb tell them one more story. When making an appointment the first thing asked "will Mr. Zeb be there to tell me a tale." He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Rose Patton Speece. He is survived by his son, Keith Allen Speece and wife, Cindy of Olin, a daughter, Shelia Speece Wood and husband, Gary of Union Grove. A sister, Pal Speece Ireland, and husband Myles of Union Grove. He is survived by four grandsons, Corey Speece and wife, Emily of Olin, Zeth Davidson, of Union Grove, Jeremiah Wood and wife, Jessica of Statesville, Steven Howard of East Bend, and two granddaughter's Kahia Wood, of Union Grove and Whitney Barker and husband, Chris of Purl ear. On Monday, September 26, his first great grandson, Mason Barker was born. He is survived by his step-daughter, Elizabeth Howard of Elkin and several l nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends Sunday evening, October 9, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Union Grove Methodist Church. Funeral Services for Mr. Speece will be conducted at 3 p.m. Monday, October 10, 2011 at Union Grove United Methodist Church where he was a lifelong member. Officiating will be Rev. Steve Kirby. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with full military honors. In Zeb's passing, family and friends wanted to share fond memories he left for them to cherish. Mia Webber, I love you Zeb. Herman Speece, Jr. said Zeb and his father, Herman, Sr. did more to keep the oral history of the Speece Family alive through the years with their shared stories of their early years. They emphasized the way the family worked together through the Depression years to help each other and emerge as a strong family that embraced the values that served them well through the Depression, World War II and Korea. Through all this, the family's sense of humor never faltered. It was simply the way family looked after each other. To me, his grandson, Zeth Davidson he was the inspiration that guided my future, because he was the greatest 2nd father I had. Pawpaw and I worked side by side in the kitchen creating not only family meals, but meals for others. We shared a bond that only a grandson and his Pawpaw could share. Pawpaw Zeb taught me gardening skills that not only cultivated and produced vegetables, but instilled the seeds of life and to be grateful for what I have. I will never forget the impact my grandfather had on everyone he met. He never met a stranger and was always there to help those in need. He is still the greatest man that I have ever known. Love Zeth. Tim Speece e said Zeb always tried to maintain a good outlook on the world in the face of bad times. He was always ready with a smile, a laugh and a funny story during the tough times throughout his life and was quick to celebrate even more when better times came around. He will be missed greatly by all of his friends and family members close to home and far away. Zeb, I'm going to miss you coming to our house. I love you. Brayden Cass Cindy Robbins said Zeb was one of our fathers, Herman Speece's best friends. They were like brothers too, quick to help, defend, confide in and sometimes disagree with each other period. When we asked Herman's grandchildren what they remember most, they said their fondest memories of Herman and Zeb were times they were telling stories of the past about their lives growing up together. Dad always looked forward to their Sunday morning visits. Trudy and Steve Cass wanted to thank you for our Saturday night "Rook" games. We want forget you always telling Steve," Rose and Trudy are "Sandbagging" and Steve you better watch Trudy "she's cheating". We thank you for the great memories we shared. We will always remember our last Rook game we played two weeks ago. "Before we left to go home, you told us thank you for the good supper, thank you for the greatest Rook game and most of all for our friendship. Now, Zeb let us tell you "THANK YOU FOR THE MEMORIES" we will always love you. Pawpaw, you never met a stranger and you knew everyone! If there ever is a time where someone is trying to figure out whom I am, all I have to say is I'm Zeb Speece's grandson and they know. You taught me the first three basic guitar chords, and so many other things, such as how to grade land when we used to go and work together doing skid steer jobs. Your songs, jokes, lessons and storytelling will always be remembered. I will always remember you dearly! Love Corey. Pawpaw, you have been my rock. You influenced my life in many ways and more times that I can count. I guess it would be easier to start with the regret I have of never learning how to play the guitar. I loved to watch him play guitar and I thought it was so cool that he could slide his fingers up and down the guitar strings and make that squeaky noise. I tried and tried and never could do it myself. I wish I could have added guitar lessons to the many things that papaw had taught me. I can remember all the jokes he would tell me or the songs he would sing to me and the stories he would tell me as we were getting lunch for everybody or just chilling on the front porch, but he taught me more than just to be funny or to sing good. He taught me my morals, but the first thing I can remember papaw ever teaching me was how to mow. Papaw taught me so many things the list just keeps going. He taught me how to grow a garden how to drive a tractor, how to cook and make his famous biscuits, how to have respect for my elders and especially our veterans, how to take care of the things I had and will earn. There were so many things taught to me through out the years, he was more like a father than just a grandpa who spoils you, but don't get me wrong he definitely did some of that, him and mamaw both. Even though papaw wasn't a perfect man all his life I wouldn't have traded him for anyone else in the world, because he was a wise man that could have easily taught me something everyday for the rest of my life. He seemed to always have the answer and no matter what question I had he could answer it and I would got to him with almost any question. Papaw would get upset every now and then and was never a person I liked to upset or disappoint, but no matter what mood he was in he would always make me feel better if I was upset in any way. It was always exciting to be around papaw I never knew what he was going to say next or what kind of song he would sing or what story or piece of advice he would give me. And the most important thing I have yet to mention is that my papaw never let me down and he was always there if I needed him. I don't think I could have had a better grandpa if anything I could have been a better grandson. I love you papaw and I will see you when I get to heaven. Your grandson, Steven. Papaw, thank you for making those wonderful biscuits and cooked cabbage. I will teach Mason to become the man who stood out in a young girl's life when she needed a role model to follow. You taught me so much; I will take your lessons into the future to ensure I follow God's teachings. Love you and will miss you. Whitney and Mason Zeb it has been an honor to have worked at North Iredell Records. You sat an example for me and my family. I lost my parents and my grandfathers at an early age. You became my pillar. I would come to work and you would make sure my son, Lane and daughter Allie were taken to school. Allie loved your stories, and taking her and Lane on rides on the John Deere Mule. Bradley loved you as much as his own grandpa and I loved you because you made sure our family was always welcomed in your home. You always made sure that we all ate at the same time. No one was to go hungry. I'll make sure my family will be there for Rose. We love you. Bradley, Leslie, Allie and Lane I love you papaw, you were the greatest papaw ever. I will always love you. Kahia Daddy, for a tribute to you and your life I was asked to write something that stands out in my mind about your life and being my father. As I began to think there were many, many things that came to mind. The thing about it is there are no words, actions or anything that can describe your life or the joy I have for you, my father. It's everything about you, your whole life. Every second that you were my father was the greatest of my life. As your daughter you made me one of the luckiest people in the world. When I lost you, I lost the Alpha and Omega of fathers on earth. I was and always will be a daddy's girl. Even as a grown woman, you would put me on your lap and hug me and say "Daddy's baby". That is the most comforting thing a daughter can ever feel. I love you daddy. Your daughter, Shelia. Daddy, there are so many times to remember. Things like daddy coming home from working all day at the D.O.T. to eat a quick bite of dinner and head out to relieve grandpa at the store; or making music with all his friends at any given time, along with cracking jokes and telling tall tales. But the one thing that stays with me the most is how with a strong will and a broken heart he held us together when mama (Betty) was sick with cancer. I never knew or could appreciate what he did for us until I was older. How hard it must have been to work 2 jobs and come home so tired to deal with all the things going on (A terminally ill wife and 2 small kids) but in the eyes of a 12 year old he never showed any fear or seemed too tired to help. Daddy had the ability to make our fears and worries go away. I've always known that he was there for me at any given time. (Just as he was when I was small.) I am so happy that daddy was able to move forward with his life. He gave us a loving and caring "bonus" mom who understood my daddy and knew what he had been through. She always worked hard to make sure he was happy. Daddy was rewarded with years of health and happiness; for this I am so glad. I think daddy knew when he left I would have good memories of the family stories he told me, the advice he gave, the songs he sung and the jokes he so loved to share. But most of all, his undying love for his family. Love your son, Keith. Zeb was born into a family that loved music. His grandfather, Will taught music at various churches in and around Iredell County. Zeb played by ear, a gift that few people have. He could sing and play like no other. He taught his brother-in-law, Myles Ireland how to play; he often wondered just how many people he influenced with his musical talents. In 1952, he was one of the original band members of the Carolina Neighbors. The band started with banjo player, L. W. Lambert, L. W.'s sister La Vaughn Tomlin on the guitar, Harold Tomlin on the mandolin, and Zeb Speece on the guitar. Shortly Pee Wee Yokely joined the band as a fiddle player and the band expanded to fiddler's conventions and a radio show on WKBC in North Wilkesboro. La Vaughn was the only singer Zeb said that could sing songs with him and had the ability to scale their voices to the limit. As a tribute to Zeb, special music will be provided by the Ireland Family, Rev. Steve Kirby, Corey Speece, Andrea Galliher, Derik Dowell, Lois Shumaker and Jason Shumaker. Pallbearers will be Corey Speece, Zeth Davidson, Jeremiah Wood, Steven Howard, Wendell Ireland, Dennis Sharpe, Jack Creasey (US Navy), Steve Cass (US Marines) and Commander Jeff Pierce (United States Navy). Honorary Pallbearers will be North Carolina Department of Transportation employees, retirees and Ruritan's members. The family would like to express their appreciation to the following physicians of Iredell Memorial Hospital, Dr. Perez, Dr. Du Wess, and Dr. Elnaggar for their speedy diagnosis and their assistance to meet Zeb's medical care. To the 4th floor nursing staff of Iredell Memorial Hospital and to the ladies of the Pink Tea room thank you. To Candy Whiteside, PA for her tender words, and moral support to our family. To Nu Care staff members Eric Kieser and Ryan Lippard who transported Zeb to Gordon Hospice House in a very professional and caring way. To Marty Cass, Sina Brown and Texie Blackburn your unconditional devotion to Zeb during his brief illness made it possible for us as a family to devote our time to him as a family instead being his caregivers. To the staff, doctors, and Chaplin of Gordon Hospice House your unconditional love and kindness in our time of need made our loss bearable. To Sandy Thomasson, Parish Nurse Union Grove Methodist Church, your love and care for Zeb provided our family with assurance that we were not alone. To Reverend J. R. Speece thank you for your dedication and sweet prayers of comfort. To Steve and Trudy Cass, Corrine and Allen Rash and Cindy Speece for diligently holding his hands, letting him know he was not alone. And finally to Rev Steve Kirby, for your devoted time during Zeb's illness you were there when we need you and your love and prayers were his fortitude. To all of those who never knew my husband and the love of my life, Zeb Marshall Speece you missed one of God's miracles. In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be made to the Hospice House of Iredell County 2347 Simonton Rd. Statesville, NC 28677. Memorials can be made to Union Grove United Methodist Church, P.O. 55 Union Grove, NC 28689 as well as the Purple Heart Homes, 1551 Salisbury Hwy. Suit C and D Statesville, NC 28687. Online Condolences can be made to the family at www.nicholsonfuneral.com/obituaries. Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family.