Lillian (Kemp) Speed

Addie “Lillian” Speed passed peacefully from this life to be with The Lord in Heaven on August 24, 2023.  She is survived by her daughters Linda Sue Speed; Phyllis Ann Speed; Denise Renee Gibson and son-in-law Rick J. Gibson; and son John William Speed, Jr. and daughter-in-law Susan Renee Speed. She is also survived by two grandchildren Jackson Brian Speed and Amelia Rose Speed. She was predeceased by her husband, John William Speed, Sr. who passed away March 16, 2017.

Lillian was born on June 2, 1925, the oldest of eight children and grew up working on the family farm in Collin County Texas and graduated from Blue Ridge High School in May 1943.  One of her classmates in elementary school was the most highly decorated WWII veteran, Audie Murphy from Farmersville, Texas.  Lillian later moved to Houston, Texas where she worked at Houston Lighting and Power as an IBM and Rand operator completing bookkeeping tasks for the utility.  It was in Houston Lillian met the love of her life, John William Speed, Sr. who she married on September 23, 1953.  The Speed Family then moved to San Juan County, New Mexico in 1958.

Lillian was a member of the Bethel Baptist Church in Aztec then lastly, and for many years, was a member of Grace Baptist Church in Farmington, NM.  As a professed Christian, Lillian enjoyed participating in the church to include being church secretary, help clean the church building, bake cookies for Vacation Bible School, or facilitate bible studies.  Lillian loved the Lord and loved reading her bible and without delay prayed for those in need.  It was through her outgoing personality and desire to interact with people that she helped spread the gospel in adventurous, unconventional ways. Helping others in need was something she did without hesitation and set many wonderful examples for her children.

In Aztec, Lillian coached a girls softball team and went on to win at the County level undefeated.  She encouraged her children by having a library of works of great literature and provided an environment to learn musical instruments. She had a green thumb and canned and froze produce from the family’s very large beautiful gardens.  Sewed clothes for her children and was an excellent cook always trying out new recipes.  Lillian had a talent for and was a fabulous salesperson earning awards for Tupperware, Avon, and then later log home sales.  If anyone could wrangle a deal, she could.  Tatting, crochet, dominoes, cards, board games and reading were her favorite hobbies.  Lillian especially loved playing games and being with her grandchildren.

Lillian enjoyed adventures and travel which included hot air balloon rides, traveling the states, the Northwest Territory, parts of Europe and the Holy Land where in 1994 she rededicated her baptism at the Jordan River.

She will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Services will be held Saturday, September 2, 2023, at Grace Baptist Church, 2200 N. Sullivan, Farmington, NM at 10:30 a.m.

Addie is entrusted to Brewer, Lee & Larkin Funeral Home, 103 East Ute Street, Farmington, New Mexico.