Ellery Atwood Speight

"Life is good, and I'm happy."

Ellery Atwood Speight, 97, passed away peacefully on Thursday May 28, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born on December 31, 1928, to Joseph Walker and Leola Burke Speight. Ellery grew up on a farm and cattle ranch in Pine Flat, Louisiana, alongside his two brothers. After graduating from Negreet High School, he attended Louisiana State University to study agriculture before deciding to pursue a different path. He moved to Houston, Texas, where he began working as a steelworker for Armco Steel. Soon thereafter, he met the love of his life, Vera Estelle. They were married for 66 wonderful years.

Ellery worked for Armco Steel in Houston for 16 years before serving as a union representative for the United Steelworkers of America for more than 20 years in Houston and Dallas. He firmly believed that organized labor provided working families with a path to the middle class and devoted much of his life to supporting the labor movement and the Democratic Party. He was passionate in his convictions and dedicated to the causes he believed would improve the lives of others.

After a distinguished career, Ellery and Vera retired to their beloved lake house on Lake Livingston, Texas. There they enjoyed boating, fishing, family reunions, fish fries, and sharing the joys of lake life with family and friends. In 1999, they moved to Lake Charles, Louisiana, to be closer to family. Together they enjoyed traveling throughout the United States and abroad while remaining actively involved in their family and community. Their life together was marked by love, adventure, and devotion until Vera's passing in 2014.

Widowed but never idle, Ellery remained active and engaged. He was a faithful member of First United Methodist Church in Lake Charles. He completed crossword puzzles daily, exercised regularly, and embraced each day with gratitude and enthusiasm.

Ellery enjoyed playing poker, cheering on the Houston Astros, Houston Rockets, and LSU Tigers, and cooking for family and friends. He was especially known for his Mexican casserole and pancakes. He also took great pride in planting caladiums every spring and snapdragons every fall.

Often described in his later years as "spry," Ellery possessed a sharp mind, quick wit, and positive spirit. He was a loving husband, devoted father, proud grandfather, and loyal friend. His dedication to both the labor union he served, and the union of his family were the enduring legacy of his life.

Ellery is survived by his children; Deborah Elaine Thornton and husband David of Texico, Illinois, Patricia Diane Pulley and husband James of Austin, Texas, Ellery Joe Speight and husband Darryl Edwards of Lake Charles, Louisiana, his sister; Dr. Lynn Speight of Lake Charles, Louisiana, his grandchildren; James Ellery Fagan, Stephanie Fagan Coon, Jennifer Lynne Speight, James Mark Pulley, Hayley Michele Henderson, David Thomas Thornton, Joseph Lee Thornton, seven great-grandchildren, one great-great grandchild and multiple nieces and nephews and their families.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Vera Estelle Speight, his sons; Rick Edward Speight and Robert Leon Speight, his brothers; Joe Walker Speight and Kenneth Ivan Speight, his sisters; Patsy Joe Weaver and Marcia Rae Ferguson.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at Johnson Funeral Home. Visitation will be held Monday from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and will resume Tuesday from 12:00 p.m. until the time of service. Ellery will be laid to rest at Consolata Cemetery.

The Speight family extends its heartfelt gratitude to Harbor Hospice, the staff of St. Patrick Hospital, and Dr. Mir Khan for the compassionate care and support provided during Ellery's final journey to meet his Lord and Savior.

A life well lived, a family well loved, and a legacy that will endure.