F.A. Harold Speaks of Cordova Tennessee passed away suddenly June 19, 2018 at Mississippi State Veterans Home in Oxford, Mississippi where he had resided for over a year following a lengthy illness. Harold was born September 27, 1918 in Monette, Arkansas to the late William and Amelia Speaks. He worked as independent contractor in the Memphis area laying tile and finishing pools. Besides his parents he was predeceased by his wife, Evelyn, who passed in 1999, and his sister Mazie Holden. Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Larry and Cindi Speaks of Longview, Texas and a son, Mark, in Jacksonville, Florida. He has two grandchildren, Brooke Speaks Harris of New York, New York and William Mark Speaks, Jr. of Jacksonville, Florida and his sister Ruth Ramsay of Phoenix, Arizona. He did not talk about it much, but he was very proud of his service to this country during World War II. He joined the army in January 1942 and spent 3 years and 10 months fighting in World War II. Battles and campaigns he participated in during those years include Sicilian, Naples-Foggia, Rome-Arno, Southern France, Rhineland, and Central Europe. Decorations and citations he received include Good Conduct Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Theatre ribbon with 1 silver and 1 bronze battle star, Bronze Service Arrowhead, 5 Overseas Service bars and 1 Service Stripe. A celebration of Harold's life will be Friday, June 29th at 10:00AM with a reception to follow.
