Earlene Hennings Speas

Earlene Hennings Speas, 87, of East Bend passed away on December 6, 2016 at Forsyth Medical Center with her family by her side. Earlene was born in Yadkin County on November 19, 1929 to the late Tom and Sophronia Hennings. She graduated as valedictorian from East Bend High School in 1947 and completed two years of study at Draughon Business College. She married Melvin S. Speas in 1950 and they were devoted to each other for their full 66 years together. She was a member of Stony Knoll United Methodist Church in East Bend and was very active in church and community organizations. She was a 4-H Leader and a member of the Yadkin County Extension Homemakers Club. Through the years, she ran a catering business and also worked as a librarian and substitute teacher in the Yadkin County School system. She was instrumental in establishing the East Bend Public Library and served as its first librarian. In 1995, she received the Governor’s Award for Outstanding Volunteer Services. She was a devoted and loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She is survived by her husband Melvin and two daughters, Julia Speas Sain of Charlotte and Melissa Speas Beck (Al) of Chugiak, Alaska; two grandchildren, Anna Hope Fry (Randy) of Fayetteville and Greg Sain of Durham; one great-grandchild, Riley Cooper Fry; two brothers, George Hennings (Bonnie) of East Bend and Edgar Hennings (Ann) of Greensboro; and many nieces and nephews whom she cherished. She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Thomas Elwood Hennings; two sisters, Adelene Hope Hennings and Helen Hennings Simmons; and one brother-in-law, Carroll Simmons. Visitation will be Friday, December 9, 6:00pm to 8:00pm at Gentry Family Funeral Chapel in Yadkinville. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 10 at 2:00pm at Stony Knoll United Methodist Church (2340 Flint Hill Road, East Bend). A graveside service will immediately follow in the church cemetery. Services will be officiated by Pastor Bruce Updyke and Rev. Rob Evans. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Stony Knoll UMC Cemetery Fund (2404 Hennings Road, East Bend, NC 27018) or the East Bend Public Library (420 Flint Hill Road, East Bend, NC 27018).