Verna Mae Speer's Obituary
Speer, Verna Mae Petty, wife of 63 years and loving mother of 65 years, passed from this life on November 19, 2008. Verna Mae was born April 27, 1917 in Lipan, TX, at the family home, to Joseph William and Lois Edna Doss Petty. She was one of 8 children growing up on their farm in Lipan where she attended elementary and high school. Verna Mae attended a local college in Chicago, and then graduated from NTSU with a degree in biology. It was at NTSU where she met Robert James Speer, her future husband. Verna Mae taught school in a small town near Denton, TX, and she sent money home to help her brothers, sisters, and her widowed mother who were still in Lipan. Verna Mae and Robert James Speer were married on May 31, 1940 in Austin, TX, after Robert received his doctorate from UT. Verna Mae continued to teach school as the family moved to NJ, TX, TN, and back to TX. Verna Mae was an active, long-time member of the Church of Christ in Richardson for over 60 years, especially the Waterview Church of Christ. She taught hundreds of third graders in Sunday School classes. She was very involved in the tape ministry of Waterview Church of Christ. A life-time PTA pin was awarded Verna Mae for her dedication to the Richardson PTA. Verna Mae was dedicated to driving her husband back and forth to work and church after Robert lost most of his eyesight. She accompanied her husband on several foreign trips to Europe, Egypt, Israel, and Japan. Verna Mae was preceded in death by her husband, Robert James Speer (1919-2004). She is survived by her three children, Suzanne Inomata of Orleans, MA, Steve Speer of Sachse, TX, and Charles Speer of Lubbock, TX; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; her brother Charles Petty of Tyler, TX; and her two sisters, Leta Stanovich of Las Vegas, NV, and Peggy Naylor of Mineral Wells, TX. Visitation will be held from 7:30 to 8:30 pm, Friday, November 21, 2008. Memorial service will be at 1 pm, Saturday, November 22, 2008 at Waterview Church of Christ, Richardson.
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