Janelle Speers

Janelle L. Hensley Speers 

August 16, 1927 ~ May 22, 2024           

Janelle Lillian Hensley Speers, 96, went home to heaven on May 22, 2024, surrounded by her loving family.  She was born in Hiltons, Virginia on August 16, 1927, the third daughter of M.C. and Grace Woods Hensley.  Janelle spent her school years in Hiltons across the road from her Daddy’s general store.  She graduated from Hiltons High School and also attended Steed Business College.  Janelle had a passion for wildflowers, the old Yellow House over in the hills, and the Annual Smoky Mountain Wildflower Pilgrimage which she attended for over 45 years.  But her greatest love was for her children, grandchildren,  great-grandchildren, and her baby sister Yvonne.
A member of Hiltons United Methodist Church for her entire life, she was active with Helping Hands, demonstrated her art of basket making in church dramas and also served as President of the United Methodist Women for several years.  Janelle had a loving, easy-going personality and was blessed with a ready smile for all those she met.

Other than her parents, Janelle was preceded in death by husband of 37 years, Walter M. Speers; infant granddaughter Adriane Deyerle; sisters Minnie Blalock (Charles), Lois Houser (Clifton), Yvonne Kern (Auburn); and five nephews.

Left to cherish her memory are her sons Sherwin L. Sumner (Judy) and David Rickey Sumner (Diana); daughter Leta Sumner Deyerle (Robert); six grandchildren, Mary Jo Jones (Jimmy), Tina Lane (Craig), Misty Hartsock (Scotty), Justin Sumner (Kendra), Erin Fisher (James), and Lauren Parrilla (Orlando); eight great-grandchildren, Max, Genevieve, Madeline, Jacob, Reagan, Parker, Ryley, and Porter; and two special friends, Pearl Collins and Betty Lawson.

The family will receive friends from 11 – 1 pm, Saturday, May 25, 2024, at Colonial Funeral in Weber City, Virginia. A funeral will follow immediately in Colonial’s Chapel with interment at Holston View Cemetery.  Family and friends will serve as pallbearers.

Condolences may be made to Janelle’s Family at www.colonialfhscott.com

COLONIAL FUNERAL HOME is honored to serve the Speers Family.