Carolyn Lee Speigle, 83, of Jasper, Alabama, passed away peacefully on May 14, 2025,
surrounded by her family at Ridgeview Health Services in Jasper.
Born on March 19, 1942, in Walker County, Alabama, Carolyn was the seventh of eight
children born to Cecil and Hazel Bland. She spent much of her early life in Sumiton and
Dora, graduating from Dora High School in 1960. After high school, Carolyn wanted to
work “in town” and got a job at Loveman’s Department Store in downtown Birmingham.
On February 27, 1971, Carolyn married her high school sweetheart, Nelson Speigle,
and they welcomed their only child, Dorian, in 1973. They had a lifelong partnership that
was marked by love, companionship, and shared adventures including many road trips
across many states. Wherever you saw one, you saw the other. Both die-hard Auburn
fans, Carolyn and Nelson enjoyed watching and attending Auburn sporting events
throughout their marriage, including a trip to the College World Series in Omaha in
2019.
Carolyn re-entered the workforce once her daughter was older. She worked for a
number of years at the Jefferson County Department of Education Operations Center
where she developed life-long friendships. After she retired, Carolyn spent much of her
time gardening, traveling, and visiting friends and family. Carolyn’s devotion to her loved
ones was at the heart of everything she did, and she was dear to those who knew her.
Carolyn was a long-time member of Forestdale Baptist Church and more recently, North
Shelby Baptist Church.
Carolyn is survived by her beloved husband of 54 years, Nelson Speigle; her daughter,
Dorian Morrison and son-in-law, Brett; grandchildren Emelia, Owen, and Isla; sisters
Marie Sandlin and Emogene (Jim) Cantley; sister-in-law Gwen Bland; sister-in-law
Shirley Bland; sister-in-law Brenda Sims; brother-in-law Phillip Speigle and his wife,
Janice; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends. She was preceded in
death by her parents, Cecil and Hazel Bland; her sister Ruby Phillips; brothers Burvel
Bland, Doyle Bland, Kennith Bland, Raymond Bland and his wife, Marie; and brother-in-
law, Durwood Sims.
A funeral service will be held on May 17, 2025, at New Horizon Funeral Home in
Sumiton, AL at 11:00am with a visitation prior to the funeral from 10:00am to 11:00am.
The family invites all who knew and loved Carolyn to attend and celebrate her life.
A special thank you to those family members and friends who have helped care for
Carolyn over the past month including those who have visited her, advocated for her,
comforted her, and shown her so much love. Thank you also to those who have done
heavy lifting to support Carolyn and Nelson. A special thank you also to all the
professionals who have been involved in Carolyn’s care over the past seven months,
especially the kind nurses and aides who helped usher Carolyn to her waiting loved
ones. You are all much appreciated.
