Margaret Buford Speer

Margaret Buford Speer, 101, formally of Elizabeth, Il, Princeton, IL, and Eustis, FL, died at home in Brevard, NC, on February 4, 2012. Visitation will be held from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 18, 2012, at the Law – Jones Funeral Home in Hanover, Illinois. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 18, following visitation at the funeral home in Hanover. Burial will follow in the Log Church Cemetery, rural Hanover. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a children’s charity of your choice.
Born on June 6, 1910, in Chicago, IL, Margaret was the sixth child of Dr. Coleman G. and Ada M. Buford. She graduated from Lyons Township High School, La Grange, IL, in 1929, and was a member of the first graduating class from Lyons Township Junior College in 1932.After moving with her parents to Elizabeth, IL, in 1933 where her father was the local physician, she met and then married J. Nelson Speer of Hanover, IL, in 1936. They lived in Decatur, IL, and Effingham, IL, before moving to Princeton, IL, and remained there until 1999 when they moved permanently to Eustis, FL. In 2003 the Speers moved to Brevard, NC, to be near their daughter.Margaret was active in her church and community. She was involved in everything from PTA and Brownie leader to help teach the wives of migrant workers how to sew. Her volunteering continued in Brevard where every Christmas season she organized the collection of toys for underprivileged children.In 2010 her family and friends celebrated her 100th birthday with her. Guests numbered nearly 100 with family members and friends traveling from 7 states to honor her.Margaret was loved and will be missed by many. Her personality, her beautiful smile, and sense of humor made her a very special lady.She is survived by a son, James, of Bolingbrook, IL, daughter Barbara (John) Orolin of Hendersonville, NC, daughter Susan (James) Hunt of Lawton, MI, four grandchildren, three great- grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, and many loving friends.She was preceded in death by her parents, 1 sister, 7 brothers, 1 great grandson, and her loving husband.