Iris Teresa Speck

Iris Teresa Watson Speck was born, in Bibb County, Georgia, July 9, 1946, to Laymon Kenneth Watson, Sr. and Cassie Batchelor Watson.   She died January 17, 2021 after protracted illness.  She resided in Jones County, Georgia, and graduated from Jones County High School in 1964.   After graduation from Georgia Women’s College (now Georgia College and State University) in 1968, she was a case worker at the Bibb County Department of Family and Children Services.  She excelled in music and was pianist, organist, and choir director at Elam Baptist Church in Gray, Georgia.   She married George William Speck June 21, 1969, the summer solstice, and also “the longest day of my life” according to one attendant.  She then moved to Galveston, Texas, where she was employed as a social worker in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) while her husband completed medical school.

In 1974 she traded social work for raising her family.   For over 20 years she chauffeured five children to and from school, ballet, piano lessons, soccer, track and football practice, tae kwon do, Air Force Junior ROTC, and math and science events throughout Texas.     Miraculously, each child arrived at the right place at the right time, appropriately dressed 99% of the time.  Mind-numbing to most parents, she sat through them all and still had a smile on her face at the end of the day.  AND, dinner was always magically homemade and delicious!   She somehow had spare time to devote to the community as a member of local medical auxiliary clubs, school parent teacher associations, and junior leagues.  Mothers and scientists around the world have spent years researching the secret to her time management, all to no avail.

While searching recently through “a treasure chest,” her grandchildren located crayon drawings dated 1975, hospital identification cards from twins born at Dyess Air Force Base in 1977,  multiple ancient (1980s) grade-school “autobiographies,” as well as countless dissertations on Christopher Columbus, the First Thanksgiving, and Fire Safety Week.   At last count, 4000 PTA meeting agendas had been identified.    Sadly, her grandsons found no baseball cards or comic books.   But they did find a few photos of an intelligent, stylish young lady who was destined to become a great mother and wife.

She is survived by her husband, George William Speck, MD, and children: Lena Speck Hopkins, M.D. (Chris), William Speck (Angie), Charles Speck (Olfa), Michael Speck, M.D. (Jana Kay), John Speck, M.D. (Ashley), and grandchildren Evelyn and Troy Hopkins, Eleanor and Shelby Speck, John and Charles Speck, Robbert and George Speck,  Adam Speck, and Myrriam Speck.   She is also missed by her brother, Laymon K. Watson, Jr., and multiple cousins throughout Texas and Georgia.

We thank Dr. Cobos, Dr. Shenkbenberg, and the caring staff and both Valley Baptist-Harlingen and Harlingen Medical who cared for her over the past few years.   Thank you to Yvette Cano and Treasure Hills Residential for your welcoming atmosphere and home away from home for the past few years.

Visitation will be held at Buck Ashcraft San Benito Funeral Home on Thursday, January 21, 2021 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  A funeral service will be held at Buck Ashcraft San Benito Funeral Home on Friday, January 22, 2021 at 10:00 A.M. (Click the link below to view a live-stream of the funeral service.)

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Buck Ashcraft San Benito Funeral Home, 1400 W. Business 77, San Benito, Texas 78586  956.361.9192 www.sanbenitofuneralhome.com