Wallace Speight

Wallace M. Speight PORTSMOUTH - Wallace Marvin Speight, 88, went to be with the Lord, Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009. He was a native of Portsmouth, a deacon emeritus of Port Norfolk Baptist Church where he was a loyal member for 88 years, a more than 50-year member and Past High Priest of the Royal Arch Chapter No. 36, a Master Mason in good Standing for more than 50 years of Tidal Wave Lodge No. 273 and a Past Bethel Guardian of Bethel No. 5 International Order of Job's Daughters. Marvin retired from the Norfolk Naval Shipyard after 40 years of service as a naval architecture technician. Marvin also served in the United States Navy during World War II. Marvin is survived by his wife of 59 years, Mary Stovall Speight; two daughters, Beverly Davenport and her husband Ron of Chesapeake and Mary Louise Speight of Portsmouth; one grandchild, Matthew Austin Davenport of Chesapeake; and his cousin, Mabel Speight Lopez of Largo, Fla., who was like a sister. The family thanks the staff of Parson's Residential Care Center for the exceptional care given to Marvin during his last months. The family also wishes to thank his dedicated and longtime physician, Dr. Thomas Harrington for his gentle and expert care not only to Marvin but to the entire family. A word of thanks also to the Odyssey Hospice Healthcare Team for their care and support and to the devoted members of PNBC. A funeral will be conducted Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Snellings Funeral Home, Churchland Chapel, with the Rev. Terry Taylor and Dr. Sylvester Hathaway officiating. Burial will follow in Olive Branch Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Sunday from 3 to 5 p.m. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.snellingsfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to Port Norfolk Baptist Church Memorial Fund, 401 Broad St., Portsmouth, VA 23707 or to the Alzheimer's Association, 6530 Center Drive, Suite 102, Norfolk, VA 23502.