Services were held Friday, February 13, at 11 a.m. in the sanctuary of Bostwick United Methodist Church.
Paul Herschel Speer
Apr 1, 2015
Paul Herschel Speer left this life to be with his Lord and Savior peacefully but suddenly Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2015.
Speer's two main loves of this life were his God and church and his loving family. Both will miss him dearly.
He was born in Walton County on Dec. 14, 1931, to Alex and Mattie Lou (Parham) Speer.
Raised as an only child in a rural setting, his parents instilled in him a true sense of worth, not only in himself but also for the love of others, and the value of lesser possessions.
Speer was a solid University of Georgia Bulldog fan. He started school at UGA at the age of 16 and graduated at 20 with a masters degree in both mathematics and statistics.
One story told of him is he was known to slip out of choir practice early to go home and watch the girls basketball team on television. For many years, a season ticket holder for football, he followed the Bulldogs throughout the Southeastern Conference and to many bowl games, traveling with family and friends.
He was as devoted to his profession as to his school. Speer retired from the state of Georgia's Division of Public Health as budget director after 34 years of service. He commuted to Atlanta from the Monroe area and Bostwick all those years, sharing rides and taking others to Atlanta for work.
In Speer's adult life he always had "his girls." He married later in life into a ready-made family.
On Dec. 17, 1967, he married Sara Ann (Nunn) Palmer. She came with two children, Sally and Susan, from a previous marriage after her husband was killed in a plane crash.
He also accepted and welcomed into the home Sara Ann's mother, who lived with them until her death 22 years later.
Eleven months into the marriage, Speer was blessed with a daughter of his own, Shelly. She later gave him two granddaughters, Mary Trent and Sara Anna, which always held a special space in his heart.
After retirement he did not slow down. He stayed busy and had many interests. Speer served as mayor of Bostwick for eight years, was a substitute schoolteacher in the Walton County School District, served on the board of Fireman's Fund Insurance, was active in the Bostwick Masonic Lodge for almost 50 years and always helped with the Bostwick Fourth of July Bar-B-Q.
For over 20 years, he cherished taking the entire family to St. Simons Island for vacation. He also enjoyed occasionally taking trips to Cherokee, N.C.
Speer may best be remembered as the man behind the scenes at his beloved church, Bostwick United Methodist. It was a rare day he could not be found working or doing something for the church. Speer professed his faith and joined this church at the age of 8, serving it daily for 75 years. He was the longest serving member and was working in the yard of the church when he was called home. He will be remembered as a good and faithful servant.
Speer was 83 years of age at his death. His parents and an infant sister preceded him in death.
He is survived by his wife, Sara Ann (Nunn) Palmer Speer; daughter, Shelly Luann Speer Chandler (husband Bob); stepdaughters, Sally Palmer Johnson (husband Ken), and Susan Palmer (Johnny Lupo); and granddaughters, Mary Trent and Sara Anna Chandler, all of Bostwick, for a large extended family, as well as many friends.
Funeral services were Friday, Feb. 13, in the sanctuary of Bostwick United Methodist Church with the Rev. Kathy McFarland officiating and the Rev. Doug Jordan delivering "A Message of Hope" with burial held at Braswell Church Cemetery. The family received friends in the church fellowship hall following the services.
Contributions in remembrance of Speer can be made to the Bostwick United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 257, Bostwick, GA 30623.
A. E. Carter Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Contributor: Johnny Rogers (49708348)
Paul Herschel Speer
Apr 1, 2015
Paul Herschel Speer left this life to be with his Lord and Savior peacefully but suddenly Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2015.
Speer's two main loves of this life were his God and church and his loving family. Both will miss him dearly.
He was born in Walton County on Dec. 14, 1931, to Alex and Mattie Lou (Parham) Speer.
Raised as an only child in a rural setting, his parents instilled in him a true sense of worth, not only in himself but also for the love of others, and the value of lesser possessions.
Speer was a solid University of Georgia Bulldog fan. He started school at UGA at the age of 16 and graduated at 20 with a masters degree in both mathematics and statistics.
One story told of him is he was known to slip out of choir practice early to go home and watch the girls basketball team on television. For many years, a season ticket holder for football, he followed the Bulldogs throughout the Southeastern Conference and to many bowl games, traveling with family and friends.
He was as devoted to his profession as to his school. Speer retired from the state of Georgia's Division of Public Health as budget director after 34 years of service. He commuted to Atlanta from the Monroe area and Bostwick all those years, sharing rides and taking others to Atlanta for work.
In Speer's adult life he always had "his girls." He married later in life into a ready-made family.
On Dec. 17, 1967, he married Sara Ann (Nunn) Palmer. She came with two children, Sally and Susan, from a previous marriage after her husband was killed in a plane crash.
He also accepted and welcomed into the home Sara Ann's mother, who lived with them until her death 22 years later.
Eleven months into the marriage, Speer was blessed with a daughter of his own, Shelly. She later gave him two granddaughters, Mary Trent and Sara Anna, which always held a special space in his heart.
After retirement he did not slow down. He stayed busy and had many interests. Speer served as mayor of Bostwick for eight years, was a substitute schoolteacher in the Walton County School District, served on the board of Fireman's Fund Insurance, was active in the Bostwick Masonic Lodge for almost 50 years and always helped with the Bostwick Fourth of July Bar-B-Q.
For over 20 years, he cherished taking the entire family to St. Simons Island for vacation. He also enjoyed occasionally taking trips to Cherokee, N.C.
Speer may best be remembered as the man behind the scenes at his beloved church, Bostwick United Methodist. It was a rare day he could not be found working or doing something for the church. Speer professed his faith and joined this church at the age of 8, serving it daily for 75 years. He was the longest serving member and was working in the yard of the church when he was called home. He will be remembered as a good and faithful servant.
Speer was 83 years of age at his death. His parents and an infant sister preceded him in death.
He is survived by his wife, Sara Ann (Nunn) Palmer Speer; daughter, Shelly Luann Speer Chandler (husband Bob); stepdaughters, Sally Palmer Johnson (husband Ken), and Susan Palmer (Johnny Lupo); and granddaughters, Mary Trent and Sara Anna Chandler, all of Bostwick, for a large extended family, as well as many friends.
Funeral services were Friday, Feb. 13, in the sanctuary of Bostwick United Methodist Church with the Rev. Kathy McFarland officiating and the Rev. Doug Jordan delivering "A Message of Hope" with burial held at Braswell Church Cemetery. The family received friends in the church fellowship hall following the services.
Contributions in remembrance of Speer can be made to the Bostwick United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 257, Bostwick, GA 30623.
A. E. Carter Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Contributor: Johnny Rogers (49708348)
Services were held Friday, February 13, at 11 a.m. in the sanctuary of Bostwick United Methodist Church.
Paul Herschel Speer
Apr 1, 2015
Paul Herschel Speer left this life to be with his Lord and Savior peacefully but suddenly Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2015.
Speer's two main loves of this life were his God and church and his loving family. Both will miss him dearly.
He was born in Walton County on Dec. 14, 1931, to Alex and Mattie Lou (Parham) Speer.
Raised as an only child in a rural setting, his parents instilled in him a true sense of worth, not only in himself but also for the love of others, and the value of lesser possessions.
Speer was a solid University of Georgia Bulldog fan. He started school at UGA at the age of 16 and graduated at 20 with a masters degree in both mathematics and statistics.
One story told of him is he was known to slip out of choir practice early to go home and watch the girls basketball team on television. For many years, a season ticket holder for football, he followed the Bulldogs throughout the Southeastern Conference and to many bowl games, traveling with family and friends.
He was as devoted to his profession as to his school. Speer retired from the state of Georgia's Division of Public Health as budget director after 34 years of service. He commuted to Atlanta from the Monroe area and Bostwick all those years, sharing rides and taking others to Atlanta for work.
In Speer's adult life he always had "his girls." He married later in life into a ready-made family.
On Dec. 17, 1967, he married Sara Ann (Nunn) Palmer. She came with two children, Sally and Susan, from a previous marriage after her husband was killed in a plane crash.
He also accepted and welcomed into the home Sara Ann's mother, who lived with them until her death 22 years later.
Eleven months into the marriage, Speer was blessed with a daughter of his own, Shelly. She later gave him two granddaughters, Mary Trent and Sara Anna, which always held a special space in his heart.
After retirement he did not slow down. He stayed busy and had many interests. Speer served as mayor of Bostwick for eight years, was a substitute schoolteacher in the Walton County School District, served on the board of Fireman's Fund Insurance, was active in the Bostwick Masonic Lodge for almost 50 years and always helped with the Bostwick Fourth of July Bar-B-Q.
For over 20 years, he cherished taking the entire family to St. Simons Island for vacation. He also enjoyed occasionally taking trips to Cherokee, N.C.
Speer may best be remembered as the man behind the scenes at his beloved church, Bostwick United Methodist. It was a rare day he could not be found working or doing something for the church. Speer professed his faith and joined this church at the age of 8, serving it daily for 75 years. He was the longest serving member and was working in the yard of the church when he was called home. He will be remembered as a good and faithful servant.
Speer was 83 years of age at his death. His parents and an infant sister preceded him in death.
He is survived by his wife, Sara Ann (Nunn) Palmer Speer; daughter, Shelly Luann Speer Chandler (husband Bob); stepdaughters, Sally Palmer Johnson (husband Ken), and Susan Palmer (Johnny Lupo); and granddaughters, Mary Trent and Sara Anna Chandler, all of Bostwick, for a large extended family, as well as many friends.
Funeral services were Friday, Feb. 13, in the sanctuary of Bostwick United Methodist Church with the Rev. Kathy McFarland officiating and the Rev. Doug Jordan delivering "A Message of Hope" with burial held at Braswell Church Cemetery. The family received friends in the church fellowship hall following the services.
Contributions in remembrance of Speer can be made to the Bostwick United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 257, Bostwick, GA 30623.
A. E. Carter Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Contributor: Johnny Rogers (49708348)
Paul Herschel Speer
Apr 1, 2015
Paul Herschel Speer left this life to be with his Lord and Savior peacefully but suddenly Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2015.
Speer's two main loves of this life were his God and church and his loving family. Both will miss him dearly.
He was born in Walton County on Dec. 14, 1931, to Alex and Mattie Lou (Parham) Speer.
Raised as an only child in a rural setting, his parents instilled in him a true sense of worth, not only in himself but also for the love of others, and the value of lesser possessions.
Speer was a solid University of Georgia Bulldog fan. He started school at UGA at the age of 16 and graduated at 20 with a masters degree in both mathematics and statistics.
One story told of him is he was known to slip out of choir practice early to go home and watch the girls basketball team on television. For many years, a season ticket holder for football, he followed the Bulldogs throughout the Southeastern Conference and to many bowl games, traveling with family and friends.
He was as devoted to his profession as to his school. Speer retired from the state of Georgia's Division of Public Health as budget director after 34 years of service. He commuted to Atlanta from the Monroe area and Bostwick all those years, sharing rides and taking others to Atlanta for work.
In Speer's adult life he always had "his girls." He married later in life into a ready-made family.
On Dec. 17, 1967, he married Sara Ann (Nunn) Palmer. She came with two children, Sally and Susan, from a previous marriage after her husband was killed in a plane crash.
He also accepted and welcomed into the home Sara Ann's mother, who lived with them until her death 22 years later.
Eleven months into the marriage, Speer was blessed with a daughter of his own, Shelly. She later gave him two granddaughters, Mary Trent and Sara Anna, which always held a special space in his heart.
After retirement he did not slow down. He stayed busy and had many interests. Speer served as mayor of Bostwick for eight years, was a substitute schoolteacher in the Walton County School District, served on the board of Fireman's Fund Insurance, was active in the Bostwick Masonic Lodge for almost 50 years and always helped with the Bostwick Fourth of July Bar-B-Q.
For over 20 years, he cherished taking the entire family to St. Simons Island for vacation. He also enjoyed occasionally taking trips to Cherokee, N.C.
Speer may best be remembered as the man behind the scenes at his beloved church, Bostwick United Methodist. It was a rare day he could not be found working or doing something for the church. Speer professed his faith and joined this church at the age of 8, serving it daily for 75 years. He was the longest serving member and was working in the yard of the church when he was called home. He will be remembered as a good and faithful servant.
Speer was 83 years of age at his death. His parents and an infant sister preceded him in death.
He is survived by his wife, Sara Ann (Nunn) Palmer Speer; daughter, Shelly Luann Speer Chandler (husband Bob); stepdaughters, Sally Palmer Johnson (husband Ken), and Susan Palmer (Johnny Lupo); and granddaughters, Mary Trent and Sara Anna Chandler, all of Bostwick, for a large extended family, as well as many friends.
Funeral services were Friday, Feb. 13, in the sanctuary of Bostwick United Methodist Church with the Rev. Kathy McFarland officiating and the Rev. Doug Jordan delivering "A Message of Hope" with burial held at Braswell Church Cemetery. The family received friends in the church fellowship hall following the services.
Contributions in remembrance of Speer can be made to the Bostwick United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 257, Bostwick, GA 30623.
A. E. Carter Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Contributor: Johnny Rogers (49708348)
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