Robert Kelly Speights Sr.
91, Columbia
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, March 6, 2018, at East Columbia Baptist Church for Robert Kelly Speights Sr., 92, of Columbia, who died on Friday, March 2, in Hattiesburg. Burial followed in Woodlawn Cemetery. Bro. Tim Morrison and Bro. O.J. Seals officiated at the services. Visitation was held from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Monday, March 5, at Hathorn Funeral Home.
He was born at home in Bassfield on May 17, 1925, to Oliver David Speights and Mary Ruth Speights, his siblings were older brother, Oliver Speights, deceased, who would later serve in the United States Army and participate as a medic in the invasion of Normandy during World War II and a younger sister, Ruth Speights, deceased.
He attended school in Bassfield and grew up helping to provide for his family after the death of his father including rabbit hunting and dynamiting stumps and sometimes fish.
He enlisted in the United Stated Army on May 30, 1944, at Camp Shelby after which he served World War II in the European Theater, achieving the rank of Technician Third Grade in the 51st Signal Battalion (later designated the 51st Signal Operation Battalion) before being honorably discharged on April 24, 1946.
He met his future wife, Elizabeth Singley, for the first time after returning home from military service and they were married within three months on Oct. 4, 1946, their marriage being more remarkable because of her prayers during World War II that whomever God has in mind for her marry be kept safe to return home to her. They remained happily married and having early morning coffee together until her death on June 5, 2013.
He is survived by two sons, Robert Speights Jr. (Jane) and David Speights (Julia), both of Columbia; three daughters, Martha Baughman (Billy) and Nancy Dunn, both of Columbia and Susie Morgan (Charlie) of Canton; grandchildren, Brian Speights, Robbie Speights, Melissa Fite, Shelia Kitchens, Glen Garner, Kelly Pittman, Landon Dunn, Matthew Morgan, David Morgan, Stephan Baughman, Randy Baughman, Alan Baughman and April Grayson; great-grandchildren, Hunt Speights, Lizzie Speights, Colin Haney, Haley Fite, Hunter Fite, Harper Pittman, Alex Grayson, Samuel Grayson, Chase Grayson, Sydney Baughman, Will Baughman, Cody Baughman, Brittany Baughman, Hunter Baughman, Brandon Baughman, Benji Baughman and Ben Baughman, and two great-great-grandchildren, Blaine Baughman and Ella Baughman.
He began his post-marriage working career on his wife’s father’s (Albert Singley) farm, and, thereafter, embarked on his very successful career as a dairy farmer in Marion County, supplying milk for the community, and being selected Outstanding Dairy Farmer in Marion County for several years.
He was a well-respected businessman and community leader, serving in various capacities including being appointed in 1967 as a director of Pearl River Valley Electric Power Association, a director of Marion County Farm Bureau, a director of the Federal Land Bank, director of the Mississippi Regional Housing Authority VIII, director and past president of the Marion County Co-Op (AAL), director of the Registered Holstein Association, director of the Marion County Fair Commission, director of the Mississippi Animal Breeders Cooperative at Mississippi State University (and past vice-president) as well as being a member of the Marion County Artificial Breeders Association, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Marion County Cattlemen’s Association (and past vice-president) and working with the Mississippi State University Extension Service in various capacities.
He was a faithful member of East Columbia Baptist Church where he served on the church’s Building and Grounds Committee and took part in building the present church. He earned the admiration and respect of all those who know him for his love of God, service to his country and community, commitment to his family and friends, work ethic and humble nature.
