Obit of Speed-Smith, E. Louise - Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma Submitted by: Gene Phillips 4 Dec 2004 Return to Pottawatomie County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/pottawatomie/pottawatomie.htm ========================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ========================================================================== Speed-Smith, E. Louise E. Louise Speed-Smith, age 93, a resident of Russellville, AR, formerly of Oklahoma City, OK, died Sunday, September 22, 2002 at Stella Manor Nursing Home in Russellville. She was born on August 2, 1909 in Shawnee, OK, to James and Jessie McKee Whitson. Louise attended public schools in Oklahoma City graduating from Central High School in 1926. She graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1930, with a Bachelors degree in Fine Arts and Dramatic Arts. From her earliest years, she performed in countless school and church dramatic productions, winning numerous honors during her university years. She continued her education with graduate work at the University of Wisconsin and Columbia University in New York. Louise taught English and Speech in the Oklahoma City area for a number of years. Her first year of teaching in Yukon High School, she directed the first place one-act-play in state competition. She performed roles in amateur productions throughout her life. When the old Mummers Theatre became a professional repertory theatre, she was a charter member. She retired from the Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center, Department of Communication Disorders. Louise Speed is remembered for the many book reviews presented before a multitide of civic, social and church groups. Her many affiliations include Daughters of the American Revolution. She served as president of Gamma Phi Beta Alumni, OKC Chapter; The Women's Dinner Club, and the Beacon Sunday School Class of St. Lukes Methodist Church, where she was a charter member. She was later a member of First United Methodist Church in Russellville, AR. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Louis J. Speed and her second husband, Francis Smith. She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Dr. Darrell and Teresa Speed of Russellville, Arkansas; a daughter, Rebecca Louise Gale of Beaumont, Texas; a stepson and his wife, Leon and Gwinn Smith of Houston, Texas; eight grandchildren, Scott Speed, Pineville, Missouri, Jennifer Speed, Dallas, TX, Sarah Speed Cain, Maumelle, Arkansas, Tracy Freeman, Port Huron, MI, Leslie Cotter, Brattleboro, Vermont, Anne Hollis, Cleveland, OH, Brad Smith, Texas, and Crystal Smith, New Jersey and twelve great grandchildren. A graveside service will be 2 pm Tuesday, September 24, 2002 at the Fairlawn Cemetery in Oklahoma City, Rev. Glen Millard officiated. Burial will be under the direction of Humphrey Funeral Service of Russellville. Memorials may be made to St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 222 West 15th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73103. Internet obituary may be found at Legacy.com. Published in the Oklahoman on 9/24/2002. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to Pottawatomie County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/pottawatomie/pottawatomie.htm