Robert Milton Speights, 92

Memorial services are scheduled for 11 A.M. Friday, April 16, 2004 at First Presbyterian Church on Enota Drive for Mr. Speights of Simmons Street, Gainesville, GA who died April 11, 2004 2004.

Dr. Matthew McGowan, the Reverend Paul Evans and Dr. William Arthur will officiate and music will be provided by Charles Johnson. A reception will be held after the service in the church parlor for friends and family.

Robert Speights was born to Russell B. and Helen Mueller Speights on August 31, 1911 in DeKalb County and attended Decatur City Schools. He was an honor graduate of Georgia Tech in 1934 and a member of the social fraternity, Phi Gamma Delta, of Tau Beta Pi, Honorary Scholastic Engineering Fraternity, the regimental band and other groups. He began work with Graybar Electric Co. in 1934 and continued a career with the company in many of its locations until he retired in 1969 as Graybar manager in Greenville, S.C. When WWII threatened, he entered service as 2nd Lt. on November 11, 1941 from Miami, FL, one month before Pearl Harbor. He served with the 81st Division as Instructor at Fort Monmouth, N.J. and then in California for a few months. From there he moved to Third Corps Headquarters in Europe as Captain in the Signal Corps and survived the Battle of the Bulge. He retired from service as a Major at the end of the war and returned to Graybar.

Beginning with a Cradle Roll diploma from Decatur Presbyterian Church, Bob Speights later became a Deacon and then an Elder of the Presbyterian Church. He also enjoyed membership in the Strugglers' Sunday School Class. He loved gardening and did it well. He belonged to the Lanier Men's Garden Club, the Sprotsmans' Club, Pythagoras Lodge in Decatur.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Mildred Jackson Speights, a son, Robert M., Jr. and Betty Speights, grandsons, William J. and Cheryl Speights, David and Catherine Speights, Andrew Speights, all of Colorado, daughter, Peggy Speights Ogden, Atlanta, grandson, Michael Ogden, Bremen/Carollton, gradndaughter, Carol Anne Ogden, Edinburgh, Scotland, great grand daughters, Sarah Speights and Christina Ogden, great grandsons, Chris and Nicholas Speights.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any memorials be made to the First Presbyterian Church, Gainesville or Legacy Link, Inc. an area agency on aging.