L’Observateur / April 19, 1999

LAPLACE – A retirement reception honoring the Rev. Major and LaRueSpeights will be held May 29 from 7-9 p.m. at the John L. Ory Schoolauditorium.

A homecoming worship service will be held the following day, May 30, at First Baptist Church of LaPlace, where Speights has been pastor for 27 years.

Speights is retiring from the pulpit effective June 1. Mrs. Speights isretiring at the end of the school year after many years as an English teacher at East St. John High School.Major and LaRue Speights came to LaPlace more than 27 years ago when First Baptist Church averaged about 150 in Sunday worship services.

Today, attendance has burgeoned to about 400, with the membership increasing steadily.

Speights has also been instrumental in helping establish two other congregations, First Baptist Church of Reserve and Woodland Baptist of LaPlace, and a new mission, Ebenezer Hispanic Mission, which now meets in the old sanctuary of the church with about 40 people attending.

Though retiring, the couple do not plan to leave the LaPlace area and will remain members of First Baptist Church.

“We have been thinking, praying and discussing as to when we would retire,” said Speights. “Retirement was inevitable because of our age. Wefelt the timing was right now. The church is strong and in a good positionto continue its ministry.”Back to Top

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