Dorothy Loreva (Speight) Brown

Dorothy Loreva (Speight) Brown, 88, passed from this life to her eternal home on Feb. 10, 2018. She was born in Birdsong to Russell G. and Mabel Speight on Oct. 19, 1929.

She was a 1947 graduate of El Dorado Springs High School. Dorothy was a long time member of the First Baptist Church where she was saved and baptized.

She and her late husband, Ray, were married on Easter Sunday before Sunday school on April 17, 1949, in the “old First Baptist Church.” To this union were born four children – Michael, Glenna, Larry and Ronnie.

Dorothy worked for the International Shoe Company until the local factory closed. She then worked with her husband, Ray, at their funeral home until they retired in 1997 and sold their business of 35 years.

Dorothy loved music, spending many hours playing both her piano and organ. She also loved to cross stitch and paint. She loved family gatherings, especially Thanksgiving when she would bake an average of 20 pies and set a formal table for the family’s meal.

Dorothy had been a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Auxiliary, Preserve our Past Society, Friends of the Library and the Progress Club. Dorothy also helped establish and organize the first Kindergarten class in El Dorado Springs in 1955.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Ray; sons, Michael and Larry; and a daughter-in-law, Nancy. She is survived by her brother, Gary Speight, and his wife, MaryAnn; daughter, Glenna Ray, and her husband, Leslie; son, Ronnie Brown; sister-in-law, Marvalene Dennis, and her husband, Roy; sister-in-law, Ruth Brown; sister-in-law, Darlene Anderson; and Betty Friar, a life-long friend whom Dorothy considered a sister. Also surviving are eight grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Services were held Friday, Feb. 16, in the First Baptist Church of El Dorado Springs with Rev. Ron Marsh officiating.

Casketbearers were Bob Floyd, Chris Vickers, Gary Speight, Brian Brown, James Breckenridge and Jerry Breckenridge.

Gary Hardison and Rita Farris sang “How Great Thou Art.” Linda Brewer Smith and Rita Farris sang “In The Garden.”

Interment was in El Dorado Springs City Cemetery under the direction of Sheldon Funeral Home, El Dorado Springs.