Mrs. Betty Moody Speer

FORT MEADE - Mrs. Betty Moody Speer, 88, passed away Sunday, April 4, 2021 in Lakeland, FL. Mrs. Speer was born April 25, 1932 in Fort Meade, FL and was the daughter of Carl Christie Moody and Lola Mae Cooper Moody. Following her marriage and beginning her family with her children, Mrs. Speer moved to Tallahassee in 1961, and later returned to Fort Meade from Brandon in 1996 on her husband's retirement. She was a homemaker, member of Fort Meade First United Methodist Church, and the Fort Meade Historical Society. Mrs. Speer was a 1950 graduate of Fort Meade High School, and later continued to stay involved with her children's schooling, stepping in to whatever position she was needed; whether it was leading the PTA, coaching the girls softball team, or helping in school fundraisers, Mrs. Speer always made time for others. She had a strong work ethic and with a pioneering Fort Meade family background where one did not sit idle, she knew the balance of her time and abilities in between her household jobs at home, her occupational job at home and her family.

Mrs. Speer was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Ralph Moody; sister, Audrey Moody Peacock and her brother-in-law, Duane C. Peacock.

She is survived by her loving husband of 64 years, Paul Ray Speer, Fort Meade, FL; daughters, Laurie Speer, Erwin, TN, Carole Speer Faircloth and husband Scott, St. James City, FL, and Gail Speer, Fort Meade, FL; six grandchildren, Rhiannon Hillsgrove, Sumner Hillsgrove, Brett Smith and wife Natalie, Michael Smith and wife Hillary, Kaleigh Smith, and Chaise Faircloth; six great-grandchildren, Riley Smith, Sofia Smith, Kaylyn Smith, Emilio Valdivia, Karsen Smith, Marley Smith; and many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m., Thursday, April 8, 2021 at Hancock Funeral Home, 945 E. Broadway, Fort Meade, FL. Funeral services will follow at 2:00 p.m. in the funeral home chapel, and interment will be in Oak Ridge Cemetery in Arcadia, FL.

Flowers will be gratefully accepted, and for those wishing, memorial contributions may be made to: The Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675-8516 OR Autism Speaks, 557 N. Wymore Road, Bldg. A, Suite 101, Maitland, FL 32751.

Hancock Funeral Home, Fort Meade, FL 863-285-8171