Obituary of Martha Elizabeth Speck

Martha Elizabeth Speck entered her heavenly home on February 3, 2021. Child of God, faithful wife, blessed mother, incredible grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. Martha was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on May 4, 1938, to the late Charles and Ruby Burris (nee Ray). She graduated from high school in 1956 in Parsons, Kansas. She married Reverend Louis R. Speck on September 1, 1956.They were married for more than 64 years, separated only by death. She was Louie’s true companion in life and pastoral ministry. She was a stay-at-home mother for many years prior to her time as a banker for a local bank in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She also worked in a variety of areas within her local church including directing both children’s and youth choirs, Sunday school director, Sunday school teacher and mission leader while also being a soloist for over 50 years. Martha is survived by her husband of the home, Louis R. Speck; a sister, Mildred and Bob Strohfield of Harlingen, Texas; children, daughter Kelly Lawson and son-in-law John of Mounds, son David Speck and daughter-in-law Julie of Norman, Oklahoma, and daughter Carolyn James and son-in-law David of Tulsa, Oklahoma; grandchildren, Randal J and Chandalynn Speck, Nicholas Hoffman, Micah Browne, Jared and Tina Baker, Jadie and Jeff Sargent, Natalie and Dustin Timmons, John and Soraya James, Audrey and Caleb Davidson, Roman James, Christian James, Maggie James and Paul James; 19 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Martha was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Ruby Burris, brother Charles Alvin Burris and son Rodney Speck. Martha’s favorite role in life was being a wife to her husband. She was also a devoted mother to her children, and grandmother to her grandchildren. When thinking of her as a mother or grandmother, what always comes to mind is the way she accepted each and every person as the person God created them to be. She was an encourager to the very end. She loved beyond measure. She leaves a definite hole in the family unit but more than anything she has received healing to the fullest. We grieve her passing but celebrate her living. We grieve her absence but celebrate her victory. “Oh Victory in Jesus, my Savior forever. He sought me and bought me with His redeeming blood. He loved me ‘ere I knew Him and all my love is due Him. He plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood. I heard about His healing, of His cleansing power revealing. How He made the lame to walk again and caused the blind to see. And then I cried, “Dear Jesus, come and heal my broken spirit”. And somehow Jesus came and brought to me the victory.” Mom has VICTORY today and forevermore. Praise be to the name of Jesus for His love and mercy. We look forward to reuniting with her in Glory.