Charles Speights

Charles “Charlie” L. Speights “Paw Paw”

His favorite verse that sustained him while serving in Vietnam: “I will lift up my eyes to the mountains, where does my help come from?  My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and Earth.” (Psalm 121:1-2).

Charlie passed away on November 20, 2022 at Clarity Hospice of Baton Rouge after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.

Charlie was born on November 13, 1947 in Port Allen, LA to Winfred Shirley Speights and Velma Earleene Ulmer Speights.

He proudly served his country in the United States Army, was a Combat Medic in Vietnam in 1968-1969 and was a proud member of the Dak To Defenders, 299th Engineering Battalion.  He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for his heroism in the Republic of Vietnam.  A humble man, he was awarded a Purple Heart, but refused the award stating that the men he witnessed hurt, wounded, and dying deserved it so much more than him.

Charlie retired from Olin Chlor Alkali in St. Gabriel after 39 years of service.

He was a long-standing member of Christ Covenant Church (formerly Southside Baptist) and Sharon Baptist Church in Port Allen.  He was a devoted Christian and served as a deacon at both Sharon Baptist and Southside Baptist Churches.

On April 11, 1992 at Southside Baptist Church, he married the love of his life, Lanell Martin Speights.  That day they began an amazing life together raising their children, seeing their grandchildren born and raised and traveling the United States seeing God’s amazing creation.  He and Lanell visited their favorite place on earth each year, the Great Smoky Mountains.

He was a father to Aleisha Speights Gravois (Hank), Marshall Speights (Erin), Tiffany St. Pierre (Jade), and Ashleigh Delaune (Dusty).  His greatest joys were his granddaughters, Mya Gravois, Sam and Andi Speights, Brittanie and Allie St. Pierre, and Emma Hebert; grandsons: Layton and Rylan Delaune and Conner Gaydos.

His brothers and sisters meant the world to him.  He was one of twelve children in the family.  He was a brother and a brother-in-law to Clara Speights Easterly (Arno), Robert “Bobby” Speights (Veta), David “Pete” Speights (Patsy), Shirley Ann Speights Delaughter (Calvin), Lesley and Katie Speights, Linda Gail Speights Lott (Gary), Maudie Speights Stephenson, Winfred “Tootie” Speights Day (Jerry), Jessie “Joe” Speights (Ollie), Beth Speights Swanson (Terry).

He was preceded in death by his parents, Winfred Shirley and Earleene Speights; infant sister, Velma Aileen Speights; brother, David Ellis (Pete) Speights; grandparents, Jessie T. and Bessie M. Ulmer and Roy and Elizabeth Speights; sisters-in-law, Cele and Patsy Speights; brothers-in-law, Jerry Day and Gary Lott.

Family and friends whose lives were touched by Charlie are invited to attend the visitation at Resthaven Funeral Home at 11817 Jefferson Highway, Baton Rouge, LA on Tuesday, November 22, 2022 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Visitation will continue on Wednesday, November 23, 2022 from 9:00 a.m. until Funeral Service at 11:00 a.m. with burial to follow at Resthaven Gardens of Memory conducted by Pastor Terry Swanson.

Pallbearers for the service will be Benjamin, Nathan, and Donnie Speights, Ken Sherman, Mark Tiller, Sam Feagley, Pete Bird, and David Villere.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Vietnam Veterans of America.  Charlie’s family wishes to thank the medical communities at Baton Rouge General on Bluebonnet, Baton Rouge General Mid-City, who lovingly cared for Charlie for the past several months and The Crossing at Clarity Hospice for their comfort and care of our loved one.