Mattie Sue Gray Speer

Mattie Sue Gray Speer, 90, passed away on July 23, 2013. She was born on July 8, 1923 in Fordyce, Ark. to Ira Otto Gray and Iva Waldrop Gray. She attended the nursing program at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston and worked in Galveston as a nurse until she and her husband retired to Fordyce in 1987. While living in La Marque, Texas, she was an active member of Paul's Union Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lee Roy Speer; son, Randall Lee Speer; sisters, Lucille Gray Laws and Della Mae Gray Haughton. She is survived by grandson, Thomas Speer and wife, Laura Speer; great-granddaughters, Sadie Speer and Nina Speer; nieces, Sandy Rockett, Sharon Cook, Judi Barrett; and nephew, Rudy Laws. Mattie Sue loved to cook and can vegetables and fruits from her husband's bountiful garden. She often participated in the Dallas County fair and was proud of her Arkansas heritage. Visitation will be Monday 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Benton Funeral Home in Fordyce. Graveside services will be 10 a.m. Tuesday at Ebenezer Cemetery near Fordyce. Arrangements by Benton Funeral Home of Fordyce. To sign the online register visit www.bentonfuneralhome.net.