E Louise Speed Obituary (1909

E. Louise Speed-Smith, age 93, a resident of Russellville, AR, formerly of Oklahoma City, OK, died Sunday, September 22, 2002 at Stella Manor Nursing Home in Russellville. She was born on August 2, 1909 in Shawnee, OK, to James and Jessie McKee Whitson. Louise was a 1927 graduate of Central High School in Oklahoma City and received her bachelor's degree in Fine Arts with an emphasis in Dramatic Arts from the University of Oklahoma. She was an actress for Mummer's Repertory Theatre in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and also did several television commercials. She also worked for a number of years as a bookkeeper for the Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center, Department of Communications Disorders. She was a charter member of St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Oklahoma City and was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Russellville where she was active in the United Methodist Women. Louise was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Persis Lovely Chapter and attended the widows's club. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Louie J. Speed and her second husband, Francis Smith. Survivors include a daughter, Rebecca Louise Gale of Beaumont; a son and daughter in law, Dr. Darrell and Teresa Speed of Russellville; a stepson, Leon and Gwinn Smith of Houston; eight grandchildren, Scott Speed of Pineville, Jennifer Speed of Dallas, Tracy Freeman of Port Huron, Sarah Speed Cain of Maumelle, Leslee Cotter of Brattleboro, Anne Hollis of Hudson, Brad Smith of Texas, Crystal Smith of New Jersey; 12 great grandchildren. A graveside service will be 2 pm Tuesday, September 24, 2002 at the Fairlawn Cemetery officiated. Burial will be under the direction of Humphrey Funeral Service of Russellville. The family will receive friends from 7-8:30 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 222 West 15th Street, Oklahoma City, OK, 73103. PDF Printable Version