Zola Kelly Speer

EAST BEND -   Zola Kelly Speer of East Bend, North Carolina passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 19, 2024 in the presence of her three beloved children.  She was born September 8, 1929 in Yadkin County to the late Jerry L. Kelly and Mary Ethel Hobson Kelly. 

Zola shared her love and kindness with all those who had the blessing of meeting and knowing her.  She was a devoted wife, cherished friend, loving mother and proud Maw Maw. Zola lived her life in service to others of the community working as a devoted homemaker, in the public school system, and in the local bank.  Serving others propelled her to be involved with various civic organizations in the East Bend and Yadkin County area. 

In addition to her parents and husband, Charles Truett Speer, she was also preceded in death by siblings Jerry L. Kelly, Jr. (Bud), Tom Kelly, Marie Dinkins, Jean Hennings, Mary Adalene (Jo) Herndon, Hazel Pribble, Irene Robinson and Arlene Wooten.

She leaves behind the following people to cherish her memory:  her children Kelly Speer and wife Debbie of East Bend, Mike Speer and wife Cynthia of Yadkinville, Sharon Gentry and husband Steve of Lewisville, NC; Grandchildren Nikki (Speer) Raleigh and husband Todd of Kernersville, Natalie (Speer) Snow and husband Tony of Yadkinville, Chad Gentry and wife Courtney of Weymouth, MA, Emma Gentry of New York; 
 Great-Grandchildren Genevieve Raleigh, Jacqueline Raleigh and Emerson Raleigh, Camden Snow and Easton Snow, Weston Gentry and George Gentry, as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.

The family will receive friends from 1:00-3:00 PM Thursday, May 23, 2024 at Baltimore Global Methodist Church.  The funeral service by Rev. Bruce Updyke will follow the visitation in the sanctuary at 3:00 PM.  Internment will immediately follow in the Baltimore Global Methodist Church cemetery.

Zola was a life member of Baltimore Global Methodist Church and dedicated most of the past 90 years to the church.  Due to that dedication the family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Baltimore Global Methodist Church Building Fund, 2419 Baltimore Road, East Bend, NC  27018.