LaVerne Erastus Speas

Mr. LaVerne Erastus Speas, 86, passed away Tuesday, July 5, 2011 at his home. He was born September 10, 1924 in Forsyth County to the late Maude Kapp Speas and Everett Eugene Speas. Mr. Speas was a lifelong member of Mizpah Moravian Church and proudly served his country June 1, 1944 to June 16, 1946 as Sergeant of the Guard in the United States Army, 16th Armored Division, 397th Field Artillery Battalion during the European Theatre, WWII. He retired from Forsyth County with 50 years of service, with the last 12 years serving as the elected Register of Deeds. Mr. Speas received many honors while serving as Register of Deeds. Those honors include NC Outstanding Register of Deeds in 1991, Eunice Ayers Distinguished Service Award in 1992, Distinguished Service Award of Excellence in 1995 and the Distinguished Service and Congratulations Award in 1995. He also served as the President of the NC Association of Register of Deeds from 1992-1993 and also on the Board of Directors of the National Association of County Recorders from 1990-1992. In addition to his parents, Mr. Speas was preceded in death by his wife, Phyllis Hartgrove Speas; one son, Phillip V. Speas; one grandson, David L. Speas; four brothers, Vestal K. Speas, William E. Speas, Kenneth G. Speas and E. Daniel Speas; and also, two sisters, Virginia S. Joyce and Viola S. Roe. Surviving are his daughter, Sara S. Shippee (Terry) of Raleigh; son, Louis L. Speas (Judy) of Chesapeake, VA; four granddaughters, Ginny M. Gnadt (Andy) of Chesapeake, VA, Meredith L. Haws (Garrett) of Alexandria, VA, Laura A. Speas of Norfolk, VA and Kathryn E. Speas of Chesapeake, VA; two sisters, Ruth S. Robertson of Rural Hall and Jane S. Hutchens (Robert) of Rural Hall; and sister-in-law, Sara H. Caskey (Frank) of Winston-Salem. A Funeral Service will be conducted 11 a.m. Friday, July 8 at Mizpah Moravian Church with the Rev. Timothy G. Sapp officiating. Burial will follow in the church graveyard. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, July 7 at Hayworth-Miller Funeral Home in Rural Hall. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mizpah Moravian Church Building Fund, 3165 Mizpah Church Road, Rural Hall, NC 27045. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com.

Memorials:
Mizpah Moravian Church Building Fund, 3165 Mizpah Church Road, Rural Hall, NC 27045.

Visitation:
7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, July 7 at Hayworth-Miller Funeral Home in Rural Hall.

Service:
11:00AM on Friday, July 8, 2011 at Mizpah Moravian Church 3165 Mizpah Church Road Rural Hall, NC, 27045 {14243}

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