Obituaries:  Joel Joshua Speights, Sabine Parish       S-123
Source:  Sabine Index, Many, La., Feb 5, 1992
Submitted by: Carl Dilbeck
              carlrad@earthlink.net




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Joel Joshua Speights (Photo)

  Joel Joshua Speights, 56, a native of Many, La., and a resident
of Berwick, La., died Monday, Jan. 20, 1992, at 9:32 p.m., at
Lakewood Hospital in Morgan City, La.

  He taught mathematics at Berwick High School during the 1960's,
and served in an administrative position there until his
retirement 18 months ago. He was presently employed as a teacher
at Teurlings Catholic High School in Lafayette.

  Funeral services were held Wednesday, Jan. 22, 1992, at 1 p.m.,
in the Twin City Chapel in Morgan City, with burial in the Grace
Memorial Cemetery in Plaquemine, La.

  He is survived by his wife, Claudette Freeman Speights of
Berwick; a son, Joshua W. Speights of Many; his father, Joel W.
Speights of Many; three sisters, Yvonne Salter, Faye Williams,
and Mary Shows of Many; a brother, Paul Speights of Many, and a
host of nieces, nephews, and friends.

  He was preceded in death by his mother and sister.

  Several hundred of his students and former students paid tribute
to their teacher and friend. The following was penned by a
student at Teurlings Catholic High School, and read at the
funeral service honoring a man they admired.

  A Man of Few Words

  In this blackboard jungle, surrounded by a sea of chalk.
  The ageless predator strikes with the speed of a hawk.
  Sending another body back into the earth.
  Sending another mortal to the skies for rebirth.
  A soul heaven bound for a life well spent.
  A life that we shared, and this is how it went.
  Never let it be said that he was zealous or loud;
  Never let it be said that he was gaudy or proud;
  But never let us forget the man of few words and much
thought;
  And never let us forget the lessons we were taught;
  And never let us forget the peace eternally carved on his
face,
  Because he did what he could, and now he's found a better
place.
  He really loved to teach, and he taught 'til the end.
  His last lesson showed us to savor the time we spend,
  Because time is precious,
  Every minute is gold.
  Someday, all bodies stiffen, and our blood runs cold.
  We will remember his stone features, which could always
turn into a grin,
  Like a flower shedding leaves to expose what blossomed within.
  A man of peace, a man of mirth,
  But too many words have too little worth.
  So just let it be said that he took life and learning to new
heights,
  Forever honored in our memories is our friend, Joel Speights.