Ann Speed

ANN SHANNON SPEED, the epitome of a Southern lady, went to Heaven Monday evening, August 13, 2024, in Hartselle, Alabama. She had long anticipated a reunion with her beloved Donnie. Their love story was legendary. Don Speed, a Selma boy in Dental School at UAB, saw Ann’s debutante picture in a Birmingham newspaper and declared that he was going to marry that beautiful girl. Their devotion to each other was second only to their devotion to Jesus Christ. Ann was born in Birmingham, Alabama, to the late John James, Jr. and Evelyn Gilbert Shannon. She was educated in the secondary schools there, entered Vanderbilt University in Nashville and graduated with honors. After they married, they served a stint with the U.S. Public Health Service in California and Florida and then came to Dothan, Alabama, where Don opened his private practice. Ultimately, they settled in Selma, Don’s hometown. Ann often said that it was so easy to move to your husband’s hometown. They raised their three sons in Selma and in Elkdale Baptist Church. They were pillars in the church and left a legacy of quiet, unassuming service, leadership, teaching, devotion and influence from which Elkdale will always benefit. Ann was a lifelong student; she loved learning and teaching. She and Don were passionate about mentoring young married couples and taught that class for many years. Ann facilitated a community Bible study and was an admired and beloved teacher. Together they took several medical mission trips to Belize. 

She lived a life of service to the Lord and her family and her community. Ann was as gracious and kind as she was beautiful; she made friends easily and counted a great host of dear, dear friends made throughout her life. Ann had a gentle spirit; she was sweet, the word used by so many to describe her. She always wanted to know about your children, how they were doing, where they were. Her greeting was always enthusiastic; reaching out and making people feel seen and loved and comfortable came naturally to her. She radiated warmth and the love of Jesus.

An accomplished homemaker, the desire to learn was evidenced in the classes and workshops Ann took to enhance her knowledge of heirloom sewing, decorating and flower arranging. Her flower arrangements were intricate works of art, so detailed and balanced. The consummate hostess, Ann would set an elegant table for holidays and invite those she knew would be without their own family to join hers. Ann and Don shared their blessings through philanthropy probably unknown by even those closest to them. They each had a servant’s heart and together they blessed so many lives. 

Ann’s three sons, their wives and their children are left to protect and continue a remarkable legacy left by their parents. Bryant II and Susan and their children Katherine, Bryant III and Thomas; Stewart and Sudie and their children Ann Shannon( Alan) Stockman, Mary Owen Harrison and Ann’s great-grandson Owen Harrison; Clayton and Mary and their children Clayton, Jr., Isabelle, Josh and Gabby. Ann’s brother Jack Shannon (Jan) survives her as do her brother-in-law Vick Speed (Ann), nieces and nephews and cousins, all greatly loved by Ann; she kept in close touch with all of them. Preceding her in death were Don’s parents Bryant and Evelyn Speed, and his mother Ulna Speed.

Ann loved children; she found joy working with them, and they were drawn to her. Her favorite holiday was Christmas, so her family asks that those who wish to make a memorial gift do so to Operation Christmas Child through Samaritan’s Purse.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, August 22, 2024, at Elkdale Baptist Church, Selma, Alabama, with visitation at 10:00 a.m. prior to the service. A private family burial service will be held at New Live Oak Cemetery in Selma with Lawrence Brown-Service Funeral Home directing. The service will be officiated by the Reverend Dr. Clayton Speed. Ann’s pallbearers will be Bryant Speed III, Thomas Speed, Clayton Speed, Jr., Josh Speed, Alan Stockman and Eric LePage.