Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Bishop Alexander Calvin Speakman, D.D., Pastor & Founder of Bethel Freewill Baptist Church, Decatur, GA 30032, Sunrise February 15, 1940, Sunset, October 25, 2012, Saturday, November 3, 2012, 11:00 a.m., Big Miller Grove Missionary Baptist Church, 3800 Big Miller Grove Way, Lithonia, Georgia 30038, Bishop Miles Fowler, Officiating, Isaiah 1:19

-- A LOVE THAT TRANSCEND TIME --
The road we've traveled has been sometimes rough But we heid on to our Christ who's more than enough
Our years together lifted us in love With strength and integrity that comes from above.
Although the work and service we provided Stretched our struggle from hour to hour Yet we did not falter or faint, we kept going as hard as we can As we trusted the Lord to bless us again and again we stoad against an odds to find out we will win To God we pledged our a11egiance and heart Now the road has turned and twisted mighty hard It has taken my best friend to another part Where there wili be no more trouble, no more pain no dark Jesus awaits you with arms stretched out To see you praise Him and bless His Holy Name There is rejoicing in heaven because you came
With bundles of love and great gain I wiH remember the good old days When a stroll through the park is all you gave It gives me great comfort and abiding grace Just to know you're sitting
in a heavenly place. Rest from your labor Alex your debt you've paid I wi11 always love you as you often said.
Written by Wife: Vdma L. Speakman

Our Dad
No matter how old we are,we still need our dad and worry how we will get by without him. When we think ofhis smile,we are reminded ofall the good times we shared. When we talk about the kind ofperson he was, wefeel prouder than ever.
When we hear all the stories people tell about him, it brings an even richer understanding ofhow much our dad meant to everyone blessed enough to know him.
Although we will sadly miss him,our dad's love lives on in his wise words,in the wayshe shaped who we are- and in the memories offamily times.So it'snotfarewell and it'snot goodbye,but it's we shall see him in the morning.
,from the Speakman Children

Briana Billings Jessica Billings Nichole Billings Sonji Billings Rachel Billings Michelle Craddock Nicole Davis Cholongria Hendley Tareon Hendley Mary Hill April Holland Kimber! y ] ackson

Mahalia] ackson Gloria Miller Shantale Mobley Yulanda Murry Yvonne Peters Bonita Polain Felecia Speakman Kareon Speakman Tiffany Terrell Betty Thomas Tandi Von Holland Tyme Von Holland

De'Aundrey Everett LaFan Forbes Kenneth Goodwin William Hurst Joe King Antonio McDaniel ]oseph Perry

Marvin Perry Cornell Polain Thaddeus Polite ]erry Speakman Stanley Speakman Reginald Stone William Whitehead

(;!11/ @ppr-eclation;
The Family wishes to express its sincere gratitude for all your acts of kindness and eK_l?ressions of love
shared with us during this difficult time. You will forever remain in our hearts. /The Speakman Family

Final Arrangements Encrusted To-

Gregory B. Levett&: Sons Funeral Homes &: Crematory, Inc.

Avondale-Scottdale Chapel 351 orth Clarendon Ave
Scottdale, Ga. 30079 (404) 294-5500

South DeKalb Chapel 4347 Flat Shoals P]{wy
Decarur, Ga. 30034 (404) 241-5656

Gwinnett Chapel 914 Scenic Hi!iliway Lawrenceville. C'a. 30045
(770) 338-5558

North Gwinnett Chapel 201 Mominj!side Dnve
Bufotd. Ga. 30518 (770) 945-9999

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Celebrating the life and Legacy
of
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Pastor & Founder ofBethel Frecwill Baptist Church.Decantr)GA 30032 Sunset
October 25, 2012
Big Miller Grove Missionary Baptist Church
3800 Big Miller Grove Way-Lithonia) Georgia 30038
Bishop iles Fowler) Officiating
Ifye be willing and obedient,ye shall eat the good ofthe land. Isaiah 1:19

The Obituary
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On February 15, 1940, Bishop Alexander C. Speakman was born to the late Maggie and William Speakman in Brunswick, Gem;gia. He departed thls life on Thursday, October 25, 2012 peacetully at 12:41pm.
Bishop Speakman was one of sixteen children born to very devout parents wno taught him the ways of the church. He leaves to mourn his departure. two sisters and five brothers.
Bishop Speakman was united in holy matrimony to Velma L Kelly of Wilmington, NC. They met and married in New Jersey on July 1, 1962 and celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this year. To thls union was born four wonderful children.
Bishop Speakman was a licensed and ordained preacher. Pastor and founder of Bethel O.F.W. Baptist Church in Decatur, Georgia, where he spent unforgettable times ministerincr and counseling to the congregation, community as well as peopleboth far and near. He was the most compassionate and humble man of God anyone could ever meet. He was a faithful and committed member of The Original Free Will Baptist Conference of America where he served for manyJears as First Vice Bishop, President of the Ordination Committee, an was recently assigned the Advisor of the conference.
Bishop Speakman had a deep abiding faith that was unshakeable, unmovable and his dedication to God as a servant was real.
A graduate of Risley High School in Brunswick, Georgia, attended Moody Bible College, Essex Fell Christian College, New Jersey and the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Georgia and holds an honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree.
Bishop Speakman was employed with United Airlines over 29 years as a ramp agent. He made an impact as he introduced several coworkers to Christ.
After a period of illness that enabled Bishop to bounce back, he continuea serving Christ in a most profound way and then on October 25th he had enough and the Lord called him home.
Bishop Speakman leaves to cherish his memory: a loving and devoted wife, Mrs. Velma L SEeakman; children, Sheneece Roberts (Charlie), Vincent Speakman (Orienthia), Vernon Speakman (Denise), and Victor Speakman (Tammie); God-daughter, Paulette Butler; Goddaughter, Kim McGahey (Lee), . and many more God-children; daughters, Phyllis Speakman and Sherice Speakman; ~randchildren, Deon Ross, Vincent Speakman, Jr., Quovadia Speakman, Ebony Speakman, Derrick Butler, Corey Butler, Jordyn Speakman, Tevin Sells, Rodney Sells, Cameron Burks, Britainy Diaz, Anthony Diaz, Chasitidy Chambers, Jessica Speakman, Alexia Hampton, Creston Hampton and Princess McGahey, as well as some great grandchildren; sisters and brothers, Naomi Torrence (Roy), Mary Wynn, Robert Speakman (Ella), Otheler Speakman (Naomi), Milton Speakman (Mary), John Speakman (Lorraine) and Cornelius Speakman (Cora). He is preceded by both parents and five siblings.
-Bishop A. C. Speakman, the Man, the Mission, the Messenger-

Favorite Poem
House by the Side of the Road
There are hermit souls that live withdrawn in the place of their self~content; There are souls like stars, that dwell apart, in a fellowless firmament;
There are pioneer souls that blaze the paths where highways never ranBut let me live by the side of the road and be a friend to man.
Let me live in a house by the side of the road, where the race of men go byThe men who are good and the men who are bad, as good and as bad as I.
I would not sit in the scorner's seat, nor hurl the cynic's banLet me live in a house by the side of the road and be a friend to man. I see from my house by the side of the road by the side of the highway of life, The men who press with the ardor of hope, the men who are faint with the strife, But I turn not away from their smiles and tears, both parts of an infinite plan~ Let me live in a house by the side of the road and be a friend to man. I know there are brook~gladdened meadows ahead, and mountains of wearisome height; That the road passes on through the long afternoon and stretches away to the night. And still I rejoice when the travelers rejoice and weep with the strangers that moan, Nor live in my house by the side of the road like a man who dwells alone. Let me live in my house by the side of the road, where the race of men go by~ They are good, they are bad, they are weak, they are strong, wise, foolish ~ so am I. Then why should I sit in the scorner's seat, or hurl the cynic's ban? Let me live in my house by the side of the road and be a friend to man.

The Order of Service
Presiding, Pastor Keith Brooks All Nations Life and Praise Church, Stockbridge, GA

Processional.........................................Clergy, Church Officials and Famil:

The Hymn of Assurance....................All Nations Life and Praise Churc1

Scri]2ture Reading:
Ola Testament...................................................................Elder Albert Mino New Testament...............................................................Dr. Willie William~

Prayer of Comfort..........................................................................Dr. Roy Wadt

The Hymn of Praise............................All Nations Life and Praise Churcr

Remarks Mr. Bert Skellie, Decatur, GA Dr. Douglas Ealey, Norcross,GA Rev. Hilton Wynn, Decatur, GA Pastor leon Owen, Atlanta, GA Commissioner larry ]ohnson,DeKalbCounty

Solo .......................................................................................................... Vivian May~

Remarks Bishop James Tripp, Northeast Original freewill Baptist Conference, Kinston, NC Bishop l. N. Forbes, President Original Freewill Baptist Conference, East Orange, N Bishop]. N. Perry, Perry's Chapel, Rocky Mount, NC Bishop l. Hughes, Faith Temple#2,ScatPleasant,MD

Obituary (Read Silently)...................................................................Soft Music

Selection........................................'..........All Natiqns Life and Praise Churcl-

Eulogy..............................................................................Bishop Miles E. Fowle:
Pas r, Big MillerGrove issionary Baptist Churc

Benediction

Invitation to Christ

Acknowledgements.....................................................Gregory B. Levett Staf

Interment Melwood Cemet 5170 East Ponce De Leon venue Stone Mountain, Georgia {) 83
Committal Bishop L. N. Forbes Original FreeWill Baptist Conference East Orange, New Jersey