76, a resident of 205 W. College St., transitioned Saturday, Oct. 12 at 109 Hazelwood Court, the home of his daughter, Vashone. He was the son of the late Robert Speed, Sr. and Alice Thorpe Speed. He was a retired employee of the Oxford Tobacco Research Center.

He is survived by three children, James Speed, Jr. (Jackie) of Raleigh, Derrick Speed (Mary) of Harnett County and Vashone Eaton (Paul) of Oxford; three sisters, Catherine Webb of Creedmoor, Josephine Speed and Ella Mitchell both of Oxford; four brothers, Charlie Speed (Deborah) and Dennis Speed both of Oxford, Danny Speed (Learnetta) of Creedmoor, and Michael Speed (Antoinette) of Oxford; ten grandchildren; and four great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, Oct. 16 at 1pm by Rev. Kenneth Hester at Wright Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be in Meadowview Memorial Park. The Speed family will receive visitors at 604 Hicks Mill Road. A viewing has been scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 15 from 5pm-7pm at the funeral home.