Margaret Speer

BREVARD, N.C. — Margaret Buford Speer, 101, of Brevard, N.C., formerly of Elizabeth and Princeton, Ill., and Eustis, Fla., died Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012, at her home.

Born June 6, 1910, in Chicago to Dr. Coleman G. and Ada M. Buford, she married J. Nelson Speer in 1936. He preceded her in death.

She graduated from Lyons Township High School, LaGrange, in 1929, and was a member of the first graduating class from Lyons Township Junior College in 1932.  She and her husband lived in Decatur and Effingham before moving to Princeton, where they remained until 1999 and then moved to Eustis, Fla. In 2003 they moved to Brevard, N.C., to be near their daughter.

She was active in her church and community. In Brevard, she organized the collection of toys for underprivileged children.

Surviving are one son, James, of Bolingbrook; two daughters, Barbara (John) Orolin of Hendersonville, N.C., and Susan (James) Hunt of Lawton, Mich.; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was also preceded in death by her parents, one sister, seven brothers and one great-grandson.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Law-Jones Funeral Home in Hanover. Burial will be in the Log Church Cemetery, rural Hanover.

Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Memorials may be directed to a children's charity of the donor's choice.