Nora Belle Speight

Nora Belle (Ash) Speight, 77, of Jackson, passed away Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau.

A St. Patty's baby, she was born March 17, 1948, in Marston, Missouri, to James Melvin and Martha Williams Ash.

Nora attended Lilbourn High School and married her high school sweetheart, Rev. Gene Speight, Jr., on June 18, 1966.

Nora was a loving daughter, sister, aunt, wife, mother and MawMaw. Her greatest joys were spending time with her family, especially her nine grandchildren.

She was a loving friend to many and never met a stranger. She liked to share her creative talents.

Once known as "the flower lady", she worked at Dalton's Florist for many years before retiring to care for her parents. Before that, she poured her talents into caring for children in her home daycare.

She and Gene have faithfully served New McKendree United Methodist Church for more than 30 years. She served as a youth leader, was a member of Busy Women, was a proud supporter of Breaking Bonds and attended South Campus. She and her husband also served as Stephens Ministers.

Nora is survived by her husband and three daughters, Stacey (David), Melanie and Amy (George), along with nine grandchildren, Emma, Joel, Lydia, Meredith, Sydni, Samantha, Riley, Maddie, and Sam. She is also survived by her sister, Gloria Taylor, and nieces, Kim (Ronnie), Kelly (Curt), and Kathy (Kirk), along with several grandnieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and by her brother-in-law, James Robert Taylor.

Special thanks to the staff of the Lutheran Home and New McKendree. And a special thanks to Pastor Bryan (Brenda) Wendling, Pastor Charles (Pam) Buck and Pastor Jimmie (Elwanda) Corbin.

Visitation is from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 1, at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

A memorial visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to service time, Monday, Feb. 2, at New McKendree (South Campus) on South Hope Street in Jackson.

Rev. Bryan Wendling will conduct a life celebration ceremony at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 2, at the church.

If considering a memorial contribution, the family suggests New McKendree Youth Group or the Alzheimer's Association.

To share an online condolence with the family, please scroll to the guestbook beneath this article.