Opal Norman Speakman

Opal Norman Speakman, age 97, widow of Asa Burnett Speakman, daughter of the late Floyd and Bertie Springer Norman departed this life Friday, May 16, 2014.

Graveside services will be conducted at Polk Memorial Gardens Sunday May 18, 2014 at 2:30 p.m. with Rev. Bob Vassar officiating. The family will visit with friends before graveside services at Williams Funeral Home in Columbia from 1:00 p.m. until the procession to Polk Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers will be grandsons and friends of the family.

She is survived by a son, Dr. James (Emily) Speakman of Eads, Tennessee; daughter, Barbara Speakman Guthrie of Fayetteville; daughter-in-law, Jane Garrett Speakman of Columbia; six grandchildren, Barbara Gingrow of Ashland City, Robert “Buddy” Speakman of Nashville, Brandon (Katrina) Speakman of Collierville, Rosemary Speakman (Joe) Turner of Dallas, Georgia, Gerry Guthrie of Fayetteville and Lindsey Guthrie (Jeremy) Ebert of Owens Cross Roads, Alabama; seven great grandchildren, Nicholas Howard, Hayley Turner, Preston Turner, Hugh Speakman, Jackson Speakman, Nehemiah Ebert and Lawrence Guthrie; brother, Neal (Joann) Norman of Dawsonville, Georgia; sisters-in-law, Levy Norman of Ethridge and Brenda Norman of Falkville, Alabama. She was preceded in death by her husband and by a dear son, Dwayne Speakman; four brothers, Glenn, Dewey, Buel, and Ray Norman; and sisters-in-law Mae Gray Norman and Helen Gray Norman.

She was a wife, mother, homemaker, and accomplished seamstress. She was a longtime member of First Baptist Church, teaching youth Sunday school for many years, was a member of the Seniors for Christ group. She is a member of Pleasant Heights Baptist Church, and a member of the Senior Ladies Ruth Sunday School class and also attended the Senior Young at Heart group. She was an avid member of PTA taking active part in daily school activities as needed.

Memorials may be made to Pleasant Heights Baptist Church at 2712 Trotwood Avenue Columbia, Tennessee 38401.