Carl Lavonne Speir

Carl Lavonne Speir, 89, died peacefully at his home in Bronwood, Georgia, Friday, June 2.

His funeral service will be held on Tuesday, June 6, at 11:00 at Bronwood Baptist Church with burial to follow at Bronwood Cemetery. A visitation will be held at 10:00 in the church Fellowship Hall before the service.

Lavonne was born October 23,1933, in Bronwood.  He was educated in Terrell County and served in the United States Army, stationed at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. He also served in the National Guard in Dawson, GA. He married the love of his life, Rachel Woodson Speir on December 20, 1959, at East Thomaston Baptist Church and their 63-year story began.

He was a devoted husband and father.  He was a man of faith and loved the Lord and his family every day of his life.  Lavonne was a humble servant and active in his church throughout his adult life.  He was honored to serve as a deacon and trustee.

Lavonne was part of the backbone of this great country – the American Farmer.  He knew he wanted to be a farmer at an early age and stayed true to that calling. Lavonne possessed innate farming skills and used these in the management and administration of his farm. His intelligence, intuition, hard work, commitment and keen observation were reflected in his peanuts, corn, cotton and wheat crops he grew. 

He loved fishing, hunting, and carpentry. He loved the mountains and looked forward to their annual fall trip to the Smoky Mountains.  He loved to visit his children and extended family wherever they were and was incredibly proud of them.

Lavonne was predeceased in death by a son, Gregory Lavonne Speir; parents, Florence Reese Speir and Joshua Lloyd Speir; and brother, James Dalton Speir.

He is survived by his wife, Rachel Woodson Speir; children, Pamela Speir Johnson (Bo) of Leesburg, Georgia; Carl Woodson (Woody) Speir (Lisa) of Leesburg, Georgia; 

Grandchildren: Mandy Taylor (Patrick), Notasulga, AL; Josh Speir (Danielle), Centerville, Utah; their mother, Molly Medlock Speir, Plains, GA; Millie Foster, Macon, GA; Reese Foster, Dawson, GA; Carson Speir, Fort Lauderdale, FL; Carter Speir, Dilley, Texas; Caroline Speir, Chattanooga, TN; and Chloe Kate Speir, Leesburg, GA.

Great-grandchildren: Lyla, Emmalynn, Samuel, and Madeline Taylor; Ezekial, Lily Rose, Kaitlyn, and Karis Speir.

Siblings:  Betty Sanders, Atlanta; Sandra Buccholz, Cuthbert.

His Brother/sisters-in-law: Catherine and Robert Harris and Phyllis Speir

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bronwood Baptist Church (P. O. Box 38, Bronwood, GA  39826) or Friends of Bronwood Cemetery (P. O. Box 194, Bronwood, GA  39826).