Jerry L. Speights

Funeral services for Jerry L. Speights will be conducted Thursday morning, October 12, 2023 at 11:00 at Hepzibah Baptist Church. Interment will follow in the Hepzibah Baptist Church Cemetery.  Reverend Jimmy Harvey will officiate, assisted by Reverend Danny Forrest and Reverend Guylon Gregory.  Mr. Speights, age 80, entered into the eternal rest of his Lord Monday evening, October 9, 2023, surrounded by his family at his home in Silver Creek.  Saulters Moore Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

 The family will receive friends Thursday morning, October 12, beginning at 9:00 until the hour of service at 11:00 at Hepzibah Baptist Church.

Serving as Pallbearers are Dalton Abshire, Jadon Speights, Jacob Henderson, Ervin Davis, Austin Reynolds, Lee Johnson, Larry Rogers and Daniel Slocum.

Serving as Honorary Pallbearers are JE Parkman, Parker Langston, Thomas Rogers, Tommy Bullock, Gordon Fortenberry, Prentiss Lee, Ralph Smith, Earl Benoit, Eddie Smith and Johnny Abshire

 Jerry was born in Silver Creek on August 21, 1943, to the late Marvin Archie Speights and Oma Elizabeth Polk. He was the youngest of five children. Jerry was saved at a young age and a member of Hepzibah Baptist Church. Jerry finished high school at Silver Creek in 1961, then began working construction on highway 43. In 1962, he was hired by Edward Hyman Manufacturing Company.  He married his high school sweetheart Rebecca "Becky" Rogers on October 11, 1963 at the Arm Baptist Church Parsonage. He served in the National Guard for six years as a field medic. Jerry was hired as a carpenter by D. Smith Construction where he remained until establishing his own construction company. He built houses and farmed soybeans and corn until 1989 when he bought Monticello Feed and Seed located on Green Street, in Monticello, MS. He later expanded to include hardware, built a new building on Main Street, and renamed the business Monticello Hardware Feed & Seed. Jerry enjoyed working at "The Feed & Seed" where he looked forward to visiting with friends and customers everyday joking and laughing with them, and often times debating politics. His commitment to his business was a testament to his strong work ethic and love for his community. Outside of the hardware store, Jerry enjoyed the simple pleasures of life. Jerry loved to be outside and could often be found riding his tractor, tending to his cows, and cruising his land. His connection to his land and cattle reflected his genuine and down-to-earth nature.

Jerry's dedication to his work and hobbies were surpassed only by his commitment to his family. He was a devoted husband and father. Kids brought him tremendous joy. He was blessed with many grandchildren and great grandchildren that he loved to play with and entertain.  A true family man, he was the anchor that held his loved ones together. Jerry was truly one- of-a- kind and left a lasting impression on everyone he met. His memory will forever live on in the hearts of those who were fortunate enough to know him.

Jerry is preceded in death by parents, Marvin and Oma Speights; brothers, Belford, Robert, Alford and Carroll Speights; and grandson Eddie Jake Smith.

He is survived by his beautiful and loving wife of 60 years, Becky Speights; children Jimmy Speights (Hope), Sandy Abshire (Johnny), Sherry Smith (Eddie); grandchildren Marissa Davis (Ervin), Jessie Henderson (Jacob), Jadon Speights, Rebecca Speights, Brittney Smith, Erin Reynolds (Austin), Dalton Abshire, Bailey Shumaker (Jonathan); and 10 great grandchildren.

Online condolences and a guest registry are available at www.saultersmoorefuneralhome.com