Robert Starling Speight, 88, passed away March 21, 2018.  He was born in Sunbury, NC the son of the late Isaac B. and Irene P. Speight.  He was predeceased by his sisters, Ruth Marie Speight and Margaret Woyer.  Robert was a U.S. Air Force veteran having served during the Korean War and was a member of the 417 ^th Engineer Aviation Brigade.  He owned and operated Tri-County Flying Service and later went on to work as a production manager for Alliance Fertilizer of Suffolk and more recently Greenway Farms.

Robert was a member of Hillcrest Baptist Church and the Lee Jackson Sunday School Class.  He served as a deacon and on numerous committees in the church over the years.   He was a 50-year member of the McAlister Masonic Lodge #185.  Robert was also a member of numerous agriculture committees.  In his recent years he loved his Hardees Breakfast Club.

Robert is survived by his wife of 63 years, Shirley Geraldine Baines Speight; son and daughter-in-law, Robert Benjamin and Bonnie West Speight; grandchildren, Pamela S. and John Merrick, Nicole S. and Christopher Matzen; great grandchildren, Robert A. Merrick and Emma M. Matzen; sisters and brother-in-law, Linda and Donald Alexander, Mary Jane Jones, and Dorothy Patermaster; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held Sunday, March 25, 2018 at 2 p.m. at Hillcrest Baptist Church with Rev. Ricky Garza, Rev. Dr. Merle Correll, and Beth Polson officiating.  Burial with military honors will be private at Eureka Baptist Church Cemetery.  Memorial donations may be made to Hillcrest Baptist Church or the Alzheimer's Association.  Condolences may be registered online at www.parrfuneralhome.com.