Helen L. Speake, age 88, of Largo, Florida passed away June 8, 2023. Helen was born in Habersham County, Georgia to the late Duskie (née House) and John Cannon. She attended high school in central Florida and then in Atlanta, where she met her husband of 51 years, John L. Speake, Sr. They moved to Saint Petersburg in 1953 and raised their family.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents and husband, and was the last surviving member of her family of five brothers and six sisters. She is survived by her daughters Theresa (Mark Richards) and Jackie Holcombe (Rick), and sons Michael and Patrick (Jenny) as well as nine grandchildren and ten great- grandchildren. She was devoted to her children, grandchildren and great- grandchildren, and especially loved the babies.
She worked for more than sixty years as a server in the restaurant industry to help support her growing family. She told many stories of life from the server's point of view, to her family's delight. Outside of work, she was a voracious reader and a fan of the music of Johnny Cash, Frank Sinatra, and especially Elvis. She also enjoyed tending to the flowers and trees in her yard.
Helen enjoyed travel and had several opportunities to see the country. She traveled from the Blue Ridge mountains to California and from Lake Michigan to the Gulf of Mexico to attend the many graduations and weddings of her grateful grandchildren. She also visited other destinations across the country including Las Vegas, Graceland, Vermont, the Dakotas, and Alaska.

The family would like to thank her care partners at Inspired Living Ivy Ridge, who provided meaning, structure, and safety throughout her last twenty months. We will be forever grateful for your daily kindnesses and aid in her most challenging days.

Family and friends will gather at Walsingham Park, Seminole at 5:00 PM, in the Shelter, for a celebration of Helen's life.