Esther Elliott Speck

Esther Elliott Speck passed away Friday, August 26, 2011 at her home in Friendswood, Texas. She was 90 years old.

She was born in Tyler, Texas on April 10, 1921 to Cora Sloan Elliott and Eugene Elliott. Esther had two younger siblings, Ruth Miriam Sellers and John Melvin Elliott. She graduated as salutatorian of her class at Tyler High School and attended University of Texas in Austin where she majored in Art. She met the love of her life, H. K. Speck, in college and was married to him February 1, 1943.

After a few itinerate years following World War II Esther and K settled in Friendswood in 1954 and became very active participants in the community. Esther served several terms as PTA President for Friendswood Schools, baked dozens of pies for football and basketball concessions and was quick to volunteer for any activity that might promote the quality of the schools and community life. She assisted K ably as he served on the Friendswood City Council and FISD School Board.

Esther and K helped found Friendswood Church of Christ where she taught classes to a wide variety of age groups including the Wednesday morning Ladies Bible Class. She also taught Bible classes at Village on the Park Retirement Center both before and after she became a resident there and always made sure communion was available to those who might need it on Sundays. K and Esther were very active in the Church of Christ expression of Marriage Encounter, where she helped conduct seminars intended to encourage stronger marriages.

Esther maintained a passion for art and creative activities all her adult life as she continued to paint, sew and do various kinds of crafts. She often organized classes to encourage similar interests in others. Along with exercising her own creative abilities, Esther demonstrated her love of art by amassing a significant collection of French Barbizon School paintings. She was also a strong soprano and enjoyed participating in choral groups, especially while she lived at Village on the Park.

But Esther's top priority was always her family. Besides her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren Esther and K "adopted" many children who lived in their home for extended periods of time while their own families were having problems or as international visitors.

Esther leaves behind her son, Randy Speck and his wife Samantha Nolan of Washington, D.C., her son Larry Speck of Austin, her daughter Melanie Speck Bacom and her husband Bradley Bacom of Friendswood and her daughter, Lisa Speck Sargent and her husband Steve Sargent also of Friendswood. She had 7 grandchildren, Barry Bacom, Megan Bacom, Laura Nolan Michael, Sloan Speck, Harrison Speck, Blake Sargent and Brandon Sargent as well as two great-grandchildren, Keira Michael and August Bacom. She is also survived by her sister, Ruth Miriam Sellers.

Friends are cordially invited to the visitation Monday, August 29, 2011 from 6:00-8:00pm at the Jeter Memorial Funeral Home Chapel, 311 North Friendswood Drive, Friendswood, and the Funeral Service will be Tuesday, August 30, 2011 at 10:00am at Friendswood Church of Christ, 2051 West Parkwood Drive, Friendswood. A private family interment will be held at Friends Cemetery in Friendswood, Texas.

In lieu of usual remembrances, the family requests donations be given to John Elliott Olvera Endowed Scholarship at Abilene Christian University, ACU Box 29132, Abilene, Texas 79699.

Condolences can be sent to the Speck Family in care of Jeter Memorial Funeral Home at www.jeterfuneralhome.com.