Funeral services for Charles Speed were held Monday, October 6, 2014, at Saulters Moore Chapel in Prentiss. Interment followed at Prentiss Cemetery. Saulters Moore Funeral Home was in charge of all arrangements.
Rev. Billy Crosby officiated. Pallbearers were Lee Meitzler, Eric Meitzler, Lowry Rush IV, Cade Hathorn, Leslie Williams and Tom Chapman. Honorary pallbearers were John Thomas Polk, Joe Rush, Fred Evans, Randy Stamps, Lowry Rush III, and Finley’s Hunting Camp.
Charles Speed was a University of MS graduate. He was a Korean War Veteran and received the National Defense Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal. He owned Speed Chevrolet-Olds. He then made a career with Farm Bureau Insurance Company from 1983 till retiring in 2002. He was agent of the year twice. He was a member of Prentiss Baptist Church.
His long list of community activities include but are not limited to: secretary and manager of Jeff Davis Co. Chamber of Commerce, charter member and president of Prentiss Airport Board, charter member and president of Prentiss Country Club, Mississippi Senate serving Lamar and Jeff Davis Counties, trustee of Pearl River Community College, commissioner of MS Motor Vehicle Commission, president of board of trustees of PRCC, vice chairman of the Advanced Technology Center at PRCC, chairman of MS State Community College Trustee Association.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Patricia Speed of Hattiesburg; his son, Charlie Speed of Natchez; three daughters, Tina Chapman, Paula Meitzler and Marcy Borganelli all of Hattiesburg; 10 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents Earl and Florence Speed.
In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to: PRCC Development Foundation/General Scholarship Fund, 101 Hwy 11 North, Poplarville, MS 39470.