Jesse D. Speight, son of the late Jess and Plina Speight, was born March 18, 1930 in Caruthersville, Missouri. He met and fell in love with his future wife, Jo Helen Richards, when they were just thirteen. They dated for three years, and then were married in 1945. Their first son, Danny Lee, was born in 1946. Their second son, Jess Kim, was born in 1958. During those years Jess worked as a foreman for the largest cotton producing farm in the southeast Missouri, often working seven days a week, sixteen hours a day. Because these long hours prevented him from attending worship regularly, the family moved to Indianapolis on faith that God would provide him with a good job. One week later, he was employed at the Kroger Dairy, where he worked for 35 years.

Jesse and his family became members of the Park Avenue Church of Christ, where he served as an elder for 35 years. Because of his commitment to the Lord, all of his descendants are faithful Christians. He was a great pillar of strength, a loving source of guidance and a valued provide of spiritual wisdom to his family and all who knew him.


Jesse D. Speight was devoted to God.
He was a faithful and prayerful man.
If the church doors were open, he would be there.
To do whatever was needed to planned.
He was a man of the Word, ahead of his time.
An elder in abundance and strife.
He stepped out on faith, to build up the church.
You might say the church was his life.
When a problem arose, he gave out assurance,
That everything would be okay.
"Don't worry about it!" he always advised,
"You know that we just need pray."
In the eyes of his children, he was larger than life
He was the backbone and strength of his clan.
When his help was needed, whatever the time.
He was willing to lend you a hand.
He never asked for help himself.
He never would take, but just gave.
In all situations, he knew what to do,
And in very few words, what to say.
He worked all his life and provided so well
For his family and any in need.
He was hardworking and honest in all that he did
A true example in word and in deed.
He loved his family with unconditional love
Whether by birth or by marriage, he cared.
He took advantage of private moments alone.
Support and encourage he shared.
We'll always remember the good tomes together,
When he laughed and threw back his head.
The ties when he ordered and something else came,
Or when a memorable statement was said.
Yes, Heaven will be fuller because of his life
That was modeled after God's plan
We know it's not luck, but a blessing from God
To have known and have loved this great man.