Paul Wayne Speers

Paul Wayne Speers – Blackwater, VA

Paul Wayne Speers, 86, passed away on Monday, January 27, 2025, comfortably in his home surrounded by those he loved most in life. Paul was born August 8, 1938, in Blackwater, Virginia, the son of Lloyd and Ida Sturgill Speers.

Paul married the love of his life and best friend, Glenda Hood Speers, on November 7th of 1959. Last year they celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. They built a beautiful life together in Blackwater, VA with their two children, Joan and Randall. Throughout the years, Paul enjoyed farming, riding his tractor, fishing, traveling, making handmade knives, watching Westerns, listening to music, and visiting with the numerous friends he made through the years. His deepest love was genealogy and being the family historian. Paul was close to the Lord. There was never a Sunday that he missed watching John Hagee. He made cherishable memories with his two precious granddaughters, Brittany and Ally throughout his life, and was a father figure to both. He was blessed with three great grandsons, Avett, Adler, and Ames. They brought him much happiness in his later years. Paul will forever be remembered as an amazing husband, dad, pops, and friend. He was a true fighter whose strength and resilience in the face of multiple health challenges over the years will forever serve as an inspiration to all who knew him.

He graduated from Rye Cove High School with the inaugural class of 1956. He was employed at Holston Army Ammunition Plant as a group leader in the filter plant for 33 years. During his time there he made lifelong friendships.

Paul was the last of his large family. He is now joined with his Lord and Savior in His heavenly kingdom with his parents, Lloyd and Ida Sturgill Speers; siblings, Ivory, Esmond, Imogene, Walter, Beulah, Margaret, and Byron, as well as many other loved ones. He leaves behind his wife, Glenda Speers; daughter Joan Speers; son Randall Speers (Jeremia); granddaughters Brittany Elaine Davis and Ally Steadman-Cowan (Grayson); great-grandsons Avett Steadman, Adler Cowan, and Ames Cowan, special sister-in-law Karen Hood, and special neighbor Fred Bledsoe.

The family will receive friends from 11am-1pm on Saturday, February 1st at Gate City Funeral Home. A service of remembrance will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. in the Gene Falin Memorial Chapel of the funeral home and is open to all of those who knew Paul and wish to celebrate his life. Friend and Pastor Robert Slone and Evangelist Garry Hood will officiate followed by the Hood Family Singers. 

Graveside services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m., Monday, February 3, 2025, at the Garley Hood Cemetery, Kingdom Road, Duffield, VA. Pallbearers will be Fred Bledsoe, Maynard Bledsoe, Emmitt Bledsoe, Keith Bledsoe, Grayson Cowan, and David Curtis. Honorary pallbearers are Wendell Holt, Alan Caddell, Sherrill Speers, Phil Speers, Bill Copas, BJ Robbins, and Eddie Galloway.

The family would like to give special thanks to Hospice and Palliative Care of Virginia (Barbara, Tabitha, and LeeAnn).

An online guest register is available for the Speers service at www.gatecityfunerals.com.

Gate City Funeral Home located at 136 Beech Street, Gate City, VA 24251 is honored to be serving the Speers family.