Funeral Services for Mrs. Matilda Lora Bussell Speck, age 83, of Livingston will be conducted 11 a.m., Friday, April 10, 2026, from the chapel of Speck Funeral Home.  Bro. Jason Robertson, and Bro. James Shenko will officiate.  Burial to follow in the Good Hope Cemetery.  The family will welcome friends on Thursday evening from 5 until 8 p.m. at Speck Funeral Home.

After a long illness, Matilda passed from this life surrounded by her loving family and friends.  She was preceded in death by her parents Elma Lee (Bohannon) and William (Bill) A. Bussell of Livingston

She is survived by her husband of 67 years, the love of her life, William (Bill) Speck. She has one daughter, Anita Speck and her husband Jeff of Putnam, CT. Grandsons Geoff Crout of Whites Creek, TN, and Garrett Crout and his wife Tiffany of Dessert Springs, CA. Also, sister Mary Lee Marshall (Jim) of Russell Springs KY, niece Sheri Anderson (Rick) of Russell Springs, KY and nephew Bill Marshall (Bonnie) of White House, TN, three great nieces, Madison, Kaitlynn and Emilee, and great nephew Drake.

Along with her husband, Matilda owned and operated the Sears Catalog store in Livingston for twenty-five years. People may remember visiting Santa at the store every Christmas and placing orders from the Wish Book. She also, worked in the Town of Livingston office for several years. Matilda and Bill moved to Raleigh, NC and lived there 6 years before returning to Livingston. She was a Girl Scout leader among many other undertakings, and the #1 supporter of all Anita’s activities. Matilda spent many hours with Bill on Dale Hollow Lake boating and fishing.

Matilda was a member of American Legion Unit 4, Old Walton Road Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Upper Cumberland United States Daughters of 1812.  Matilda was a member Captain Sally Tompkins 2123 United Daughters of the Confederacy (UDC). She served as chapter President 2012-2014 and 2016-2018 and served as the President of the UDC Tennessee Division from 2016 – 2018. She received the National Sons of Confederate Veterans award, the highest award presented to a woman and the highest Award by the Tennessee Division UDC.

Matilda served for many years as a trustee of Bohannon Church and Cemetery in Calfkiller, TN, and Good Hope Cemetery in Livingston. She served as a member of the Town of Livingston Planning Commission for 16 years.  Matilda was a member of the First Baptist Church in Livingston. She loved her Sunday School class and friends. She also loved sewing with the First Baptist Church Wednesday morning group.  Matilda loved to work in the yard and garden. She was a master seamstress and could make anything. She especially liked to make quilts and even had one on display at the Nashville airport. Matilda always had a project going of some kind.  Matilda and Bill spent decades training and competing their black labs in Middle Tennessee (MTARC) and across the country. She loved their current dog Lexie (woo-woo) very much.  Matilda loved her family deeply.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Matilda’s honor can be made to the Capt. Sally Tompkins 2123 Education Fund (Donna Hamilton, 931-261-2403) or Operation Christmas Child at the First Baptist Church in Livingston.