John Edward Speaks, Jr.

Mr. John Edward Speaks, Jr, 79, passed away Saturday, May 25, 2024, at his home. He was born September 30, 1944, in Ashe County, NC to the late John Edward Speaks, Sr and Stella Mae Dillard Speaks. John was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend. He retired from A.T. Williams Oil Company after several years of service.  In his spare time, he enjoyed working on small engines, especially lawn mowers and traveling to the mountains. John never met a stranger and was known as a jokester by all who knew him. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his daughter, Denise Grubbs; granddaughter, Jamie Faith Taylor; one brother; and one sister. He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Sheila Speaks; two children, Deborah Kaye Speaks (Eddie Payne) and John Alan Speaks (Carlene); five grandsons, David Allen Grubbs (Nicole), Matthew Adam Grubbs (Jessica), James Ryan Taylor (Whitney), Zachary Blair Speaks (Aaron Martin), and Noah Alan Speaks; five great-grandchildren, Sara Grubbs, Kelsie Grubbs, Kimber Grubbs, Luke Taylor, and Kate Taylor; brother, Don Speaks; son-in-law, David Grubbs; and several nieces and nephews. In addition, he is survived by a special friend, Brian Brown and the staff of John Brown’s Country Store. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2pm Saturday, June 1, 2024, at Hayworth-Miller Rural Hall Chapel with Pastor Randy Murdock officiating. The family will receive friends an hour prior to the service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Trellis Supportive Care.