Living

Notes:

Obituary, copied from the FindAGrave memorial created by Elaine:

Lloyd Theodore "Ted" McBeth, born December 20, 1929 in Sweetwater, Texas to Lloyd and Mary McBeth passed away peacefully on April 27, 2012 after a brief illness. Left to cherish his wonderful memories: his loving wife Gloria; daughters: Patricia Chandler (Robert) and Mary McBeth; granddaughters: Michele Reed, and Jillian and Charlotte Pennington; great-grandson, Cameron.

Ted earned a Master's degree in Chemical Engineering and was a veteran of the Korean War.

Memorial services will be Wednesday, May 2, 2012 at Northwoods Presbyterian Church at 2:00 after burial at Houston National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the charity of your choice.

Published in Houston Chronicle on April 29, 2012

Inscription of Military Marker:

1ST LT, US Army, Korea
In Loving Memory Ted

Lloyd married Gloria Mittie Speights. Gloria (daughter of Thomas Green Speights and Arley Emmaline Bennett) was born on 17 Nov 1929 in Hemphill, Sabine County, Texas; died on 29 Jul 2016 in Houston, Harris County, Texas; was buried on 4 Aug 2016 in Houston National Cemetery, Houston, Harris County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Sabine County Reporter
July 12, 2006
Hemphilll Elementary School Fifth Grade -1939-1940

Eighteen students from a larger group, pictured, graduated from Hemphill High School's Class of 1946 who recently enjoyed their 60th class reunion. Blake Eddings, Nadine Easley, LaNell Slay, Robert Earl Gray, Gladys Hogue, Wayford Jones, Jack Chisum, Reba Arnold, Lexie Mae Wood, Berintha Maund, Helen Rushing, Evelyn Wright, Dorothy Sterle, Wilma Lawrence, Joe (Gwen/Quinn) McGown, Doris Anderson, Paul Huffman, Eloise Inman, Archie Jones, Vermell Anderson, LaVern Wright, Lois Paudert, Billy Edgar, Sutton Ware, Jessie Lee Harper, Wynell Elliott, Jack Jones, Doris Jennings, Burtis Earl Moore, Hattie Pearl Kelly, Imogene Carlton, Kathryn Curry, Marcus Huffman, Jimmie Procell, Emma Clark Fuller, Marjorie Crawford, Louise Crnkovic, GLORIA SPEIGHTS, and Herman Chop.

Obituary
copied from obits.dignitymemorial.com
Also published in the Houston Chronicle

Gloria Speights McBeth, age 86, of Houston, Texas, passed away on July 29, 2016. The youngest of nine children, she was born in Hemphill, Texas to Tom and Arley Speights on November 17, 1929. She was preceded in death by her parents, all siblings except one dear sister, and her beloved husband, Ted McBeth.

Gloria had a joyful spirit and was rarely without a smile on her face. Her father passed away when she was three-years-old, and Gloria was raised by her mother during the Great Depression. She was voted "Most Popular" and played on the Hemphill High basketball team. She was proud of her Hemphill heritage and returned often for family and school reunions.

As a young career woman, Gloria worked at a bank in downtown Houston in the '50s. It was here where her future husband was encouraged by an aunt to meet a pretty girl she knew at church when he visited from his studies at A&M. She was right. Gloria and Ted were soul mates who held hands every day of their long marriage. Bless you, Aunt Mildred.

Gloria's banking career was put on hold to work at home as a wife and mother to two daughters. She enjoyed entertaining, gardening, cooking, traveling, reading and was an excellent Bridge player. Gloria's greatest joy in life was her family which extended from her husband and two daughters to three grand-daughters and a great grand-son. "Gigi" as she was affectionately known, taught her granddaughters the lost art of cooking and sewing as well as to seek adventures in life. She gave them unconditional love and the most amazing Christmas stockings a child ever knew for which she shopped all year long. Her home was filled with love and endless support, helping them become women of strength and substance. Always stylish, Gloria's inner beauty and loving personality far outweighed the exterior. But outings to Neiman's and Sakowitz with her growing up -with lessons on how to work the sale rack '96 will never be forgotten.

Gloria was also a woman of strong faith, counting bible studies and volunteering at church among life's rewards. She led by example in her endeavors. Perseverance to overcome obstacles included swim lessons as an adult since she wasn't taught as a child. Though she learned to swim, she never took to water. Her aversion to water extended to dietary choices. Seafood was off limits and she often told people she was "allergic" to avoid further questions. This was the one area in which she was known to take license with the truth. She had no known food allergies.

As the wife of a Chemical Engineer, Gloria learned to move from city to city. From Lake Jackson to Odessa to Lake Charles and finally back to Houston, Gloria made each transition as easy as possible for her family. Not one to complain, we never knew West Texas wasn't to her liking until years later. Gloria returned to her banking career upon arrival in Houston in the early '80s when she inquired about a job at her new bank and was hired on the spot. Her financial prowess continued as she enjoyed investing in the stock market with her husband and recently instructed at age 85 that her "bond man" be called from her hospital bed. Her mind was as sharp as her spirited wit.

Gloria is survived by daughters, Patricia Chandler (Robert), Mary McBeth (Jim Crump); granddaughters, Michele Reed, Jillian Pennington, Charlotte Pennington; great-grandson, Cameron Reed, and countless friends whose support is much appreciated. You will be missed, Gigi.

Notes:

(Research):Census Information:

1930 Census
Texas, Sabine County, Justice Precinct No. 1
Enumerated April 28 and 29 by Hugh M. Ireland
ED 202-3 SD 19th Sheet 20A Stamped 42
62-65
Speights. Tom G. Hd M W 45 M20 Tx Tx Tx Farmer
Speights, Arlis Wife F W 45 M 20 Tx Tx Tx
Speights, Elton Son M W 17 S Tx Tx Tx
Speights, Anna Dtr F W 14 S Tx Tx Tx
Speights, Rudolph Son M W 12 S Tx Tx Tx
Speights, John H Son M W 9 S Tx Tx Tx
Speights, Sallie L Dtr F W 6 S Tx Tx Tx
Speights, Gloria Dtr F W 1 S Tx Tx Tx

Thomas married Arley Emmaline Bennett on 12 Jul 1905. Arley (daughter of Jesse Archibald "Archie" Bennett and Anna Eliza Huffman) was born on 16 Mar 1885 in Texas; died on 3 Oct 1964 in Hemphill, Sabine County, Texas; was buried in Speights Cemetery, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

An actual copy of her Texas Death Record can be viewed online at FamilySearch.org, Texas Deaths, 1890-1976. She is shown as the daugbhter of J. A. Bennett and Anna Huffman, and is listed as widowed, and a housewife and mother. The informant was D. B. Speights, presumably her eldest son. Her first name is shown as Arley, though some other sources show her as Arlis.

(Medical):See attached sources.

Notes:

(Research):
Census Listings:

1900 Census
Texas, Sabine County, Precinct 1
Enumerated 4 Jun 1900
SD 8 ED 68 Sheet 1A Stamped 92
4-4
Speights, John W Hd W M Oct 1856 M 16 Tx Miss Miss Farmer
Speights, Sallie Wf W F July 1865 34 M 16 5/5 Tx Ga Tx
Speights, Tom G Son W M Feb 1885 15 S Tx Tx Tx Farm Laborer
Speights, Dora E Dtr W F Feb 1886 14 S Tx Tx Tx
Speights, Orin W Son W M Feb 1887 13 S Tx Tx Tx Farm Laborer
Speights, Mermod L Son W M Dec 1891 8 S Tx Tx Tx
Speights, Buford A Son W M Jan 1898 2 S Tx Tx Tx

John married Sallie Wilson on 20 Jan 1884 in Sabine County, Texas. Sallie (daughter of William Cregg Wilson and Bethie "Bettie" H. Lawhorn) was born in Jul 1865 in Texas; died about 1904 in Texas; was buried in Speights Cemetery, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Married:
Some researchers show that they also had a daughter named Emily Ann that died young.

In an article dated September 12, 1963 about Susan Arnold Nichols, Virgie Speights stated that on one trip home "they stopped by the home of a cousin, out on Palo Gaucho Creek, Dr. Johnny Speights and his wife, Sally Wilson Speights." Susan was the daughter of Jim Arnold, and granddaughter of Hanna Davis and J. M. Arnold. He was also a godson of Cadwaller Davis and Amelia Lee. (Speights, Old Timers of Sabine County, p. 21).

Notes:

An actual copy of his Texas Death Certificate can be viewed online at FamilySearch.org, Texas Deaths, 1890-1976. He was listed as married to Anna Eliza Bennett, and a son of Adam Jackson Bennett (born Pennsylvania) and Jane Harvey (born Alabama). His usual occupation was that of a lifelong Farmer (retired in October 1930). The informant was Mittie Easley of Yellowpine, Texas, a daughter.


(Research):

Census Listings:

1910 Census
Texas, Sabine County, JP 1
Enumerated 2 May 1910
SD 2 ED 131 Sheet 12A Stamped 177
191-193
Bennett, Jesse A Hd M W 45 m1 25 Tx La La Farmer
Bennett, Anna E. Wf F W 43 M1 25 5/5 Tx NC Ga
Bennett, Posey A Son M W 18 S Tx Tx Tx Laborer Home Farm
Bennett, Mittie A Dtr F W 15 S Tx Tx Tx
Bennett, Zina B. Dtr F W 12 S Tx Tx Tx
Bennett, Benjamin P Son M W 7 S Tx Tx Tx
Davidson, Henry hirehand? M W 28 S Tx Ga Tx Laborer General Farm

(Medical):See attached sources.

Jesse married Anna Eliza Huffman. Anna (daughter of Christopher "Kit" Bryant Huffman and Angelina Jones) was born on 16 Mar 1866 in Texas; died on 12 Jan 1948 in Sabine County, Texas; was buried in Hemphill City Cemetery, Hemphill, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]