Dr. Lois Marie Capps Speece, 88, of Union Grove, N.C., passed away peacefully at Iredell Memorial Hospital on Friday, September 27, 2024, following a brief illness after repairing her broken hip from a fall at her home on the 18th.
She was born July 18, 1936, in Roanoke Rapids, N.C., to Clarence A. Capps and Maggie D. West Capps. They both preceded her in death in 2000.
Marie was a graduate of Roanoke Rapids High School, Piedmont International University and Andersonville Baptist Theological Seminary. She took post-graduate courses at UNC Greensboro, Catawba College, Mitchell Community College, and Appalachian State University. She also attended Lenoir-Rhyne University for private organ lessons. She received several degrees, a Bachelor’s of Religious Education, Master’s of Religious Education, a PhD in Religious Education, a Doctorate of Ministry and a Doctorate of Christian Counseling.
Marie was an elementary teacher at Germanton Elementary School in Germanton, N.C., and Union Grove Elementary School for a total of 33 years. She was a member of the N.C. Association of Educators and the National Education Association. She was president of MacDowell Music Club in 1978, 1995, and 2010. She was a member of the Hospital Auxiliary at Iredell Memorial Hospital and worked in the Radiation Department for over 30 years. She served on the Board of Directors of the Performing Arts Live of Iredell. She was president in 1991 and 2010. Marie was a member of the North Carolina Federation of Music Clubs and the National Federation of Music Clubs. She served as president of the North Carolina Federation of Music Clubs 2006-2010 and was the past president of the Statesville Woman’s Club from 1999-2001. On the national level she served as a board member representing North Carolina and the Angie Greer Music in Poetry Contest chairman. Marie is a Rose Fay Thomas Fellow, a National Federation of Music Clubs Award, and the Hinda Honigman Fellow, a North Carolina Federation of Music Clubs Award.
Marie was Union Grove Teacher of the Year in 1987 and Ruritan Teacher of the Year in 1987. She was the first secretary of the Steering Committee to organize the Union Grove Fire Department in the early 1960s.
Dr. Speece played the organ and piano and led choirs at Calvary Baptist Church in Union Grove, St. Pauls Lutheran Church in Statesville, Community Baptist Church in Mount Mourne, and Heritage Grove Ministries in Union Grove.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Marlene Gail Speece Clifford; a brother, Dr. Alton C. Capps; and an infant brother, Carl Jason Capps; along with several aunts and uncles. Her husband, Dr. James Roy Speece, passed away May 12, 2024, and they were happily married for over 67 years.
She is survived by a sister-in-law, Joan Capps; niece and nephew, Allen and Leah Capps and nephews Cary and Bryan Capps; special nieces, Danielle and Lauren, and their five children and husbands also survive.
A service to celebrate the life of Dr. Marie Speece will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, October 2, 2024 at Calvary Baptist Church with Rev. Steve Pope officiating. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. at the church. She will be laid to rest in the Calvary Baptist Cemetery.
A special thank you to Home Instead staff members, Jerri, Shirley, Devin, Safi, Diane, Meggan, Stephanie and Aubrey. Marie will be especially missed by goddaughter, June Ireland-Mitchell, and her husband Gary.
Memorials given to the Calvary Baptist Church of Union Grove Cemetery Fund, 300 Indian Hill Road, Union Grove NC, 28689, would be such a blessing to both JR and Marie’s legacy of service to their ministry.
Troutman Funeral Home is serving the family.