Elizabeth Louise Valentine Speas affectionately known as "Lib", was born on January 7, 1946 to the late Dalton James Valentine and Okalee Valentine of Bethania, North Carolina. On Friday, January 23, 2026, God called Lib home.

A graduate of Carver High School, the class of 1964, she began her career at Hanes Hosiery then taking care of babies in a "Head Start" Day Care in Tobaccoville, NC. Ending her career as Nursing Assistant at Forsyth Memorial Hospital, where she retired.

She was a faithful member of Bethania AME Zion Church where she held the offices of Senior Choir Easter Cantata Librarian, Director of the Junior Choir, and the Missionary Group #1 President for many years, until her health started to decline. When she could no longer hold these positions, she didn't stop coming to church. She came when her legs would let her move.

Lib loved people. She was called the "card lady". She always sent people a card for whatever the situation was, whether it was your birthday, the loss of a loved one, your anniversary or just to say hello! In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Dalton James Valentine; sister, Doris V. Eldridge; niece, Melinda Eldridge; nephew, Dalton James Valentine, III.

Left to cherish her precious memory are her sons, Vannard Valentine (Synthia Penn) and Lester B. Speas, III; her daughter, Shelvy P. Gaither; 6 grandchildren: Sherita D. Valentine, Edward Valentine, Aubury Valentine, Shatese M. Gaither, Thomas Gaither, Jr., and Trey A. Gaither; 10 great-grandchildren: JahQuez, Jamiece, Braden, Gavin, Logan, Shanel, Skai, Aking, China, and Alexandra; daughter-in-law, Jannette Valentine; sister-in-law, Rev. Belinda Speas Harris; one faithful aunt, Frances Cloud; cousin, Carolyn Robinson; nieces, Veronica Trotter, Denise Eldridge and Doris Santos; nephews, David Eldridge, Jr., Darryl Eldridge, and George Trotter, Jr.; God son, Dr. Alvin Keyes; special friends, Vernell Miller and Delores Hailstalk; a host of great nieces, great nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Public viewing will be held from 12:00 PM until 6:00 PM, Wednesday, February 11, 2026 at Clark S. Brown & Sons Funeral Home. Funeral service 1:00 PM, Thursdays, February 12, 2026 in the chapel of Clark S. Brown & Sons Funeral Home. The family will greet friends one hour prior to service. Interment in Bethania AME Zion Church Cemetery.