At the break of dawn on Sunday, June 25, 2017, Lester B. Speas, Jr., affectionately called "LB," entered life eternal at Regency Care of Clemmons. He was the eldest of seven children born to the late Reverend Lester B. Speas, Sr. and Lillian Payne Speas of Tobaccoville, NC. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Wilma Mae Ijames; and two brothers, Oscar Lee and Cornelius Payne Speas. LB was in the 1955 graduating class of Carver Consolidated High School. He attended NC A & T State University on a baseball scholarship and held unending "Aggie Pride" as a graduate of the university. He worked for Talton Photo Laboratories for many years and his flawless photography skills were frequently requested by businesses and families in the Winston-Salem, NC and surrounding communities. Lester began his early Christian education as a member of Center Grove AME Zion Church in Tobaccoville. He was devout in his advocacy for the Lay Council of the denomination and served on the district and conference level as Chaplain. He was a faithful member of Goler Metropolitan AME Zion Church where he sang with the Cathedral Choir and Men's Chorus. Lasting memories of him will be cherished by his sons, Lester B. Speas, III and Edward V. Valentine, Sr.; his daughter, Shelvy Prestina (Thomas, Sr.) Gaither; their mother, Elizabeth V. Speas; six grandchildren; six great grandchildren; sisters, Delores, Reverend Belinda Harris and Ann E. (Dr. Harry) Caldwell; his uncle, Charlie Payne; cousin, Reverend William Speas; dear friends, Shirley Allen, JB Myers, Ron Kilgore and Frank Thomas; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members and friends. A funeral service takes place at 2pm, Monday, July 3, 2017 at Goler Memorial AME Zion Church with Reverend Johnny L. Ruff as Eulogist. Interment will follow at Center Grove AME Zion Church Cemetery in Tobaccoville. The family will greet friends one hour prior to the service at the church.

For a copy of the funeral program, click here