Funeral services for Belford R. Speights of Monticello are 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 8, at Carmel Baptist Church with burial in the church cemetery. Wilson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Visitation was Saturday from 5 until 9 p.m. at Wilson Funeral Home.

Mr. Speights, 81, died Dec. 6, 2013, at Baptist Medical Center in Jackson.

He was a member of Carmel Baptist Church for more than 50 years. During his time at the church, he served in many different capacities, such as deacon, Sunday school teacher, superintendent of the Sunday school and as a member of many committees. He spent many hours of hard labor building the children’s department and cemetery.

He had a love to cook, and when he was able, he cooked for the brotherhood, serving breakfast, and his memorable dumplings that were enjoyed by all. Belford enjoyed his life fully and enjoyed to travel so much. He was a devoted veteran of the U.S. Navy and enjoyed telling about his time in the service when he traveled all around the world. He was a gardener who enjoyed providing for his family and also sharing with others. He was a very devoted husband, father and grandfather and will be missed by all who knew him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Marvin A. Speights and Oma Polk Speights; his wife, Annette Rutland Speights; granddaughter, Kelly Golmon; and his brothers, Robert and James Carroll Speights.

He was survived by his wife, Fannie Mullins Speights, of Monticello; his son, Ricky Speights and wife, Kelli, of Tupelo; daughter, Beverly Golmon and husband, Mark, of Tupelo; step-sons, Randall Mullins and wife, Janet, of Oakvale, Billy Mullins, of Tupelo; grandchildren, Lance Golmon and wife, Ashley, of Summit and Morgan Speights, of Monticello; great-grandchildren, Tyler and Hannah Golmon, of Summit; step-grandchildren, Justin and Jeremy Mullins, of Monticello, Tana Priddy and Caleb Priddy, of Columbia; and brothers, Alford and wife, Joyce Speights and Jerry and wife, Becky Speights, of Silver Creek.

Pallbearers will be Lance Golmon, Jeremy Mullins, Steve Speights, Craig Davis, Phillip Garrett and Caleb Priddy.

Honorary pallbearers will be the deacons of Carmel Baptist Church.