Adelaide Rodriguez Speck

Adelaide Rodriguez Speck, loving mother and wife, went to be with the Lord on  December 20, 2024 at the age of 88.  Adelaide was born June 4, 1936 in San Antonio, Texas and is the daughter of Jacob and Amparo Paz Rodriguez .  She is a distant relative of Juan Curbelo of Spain, who was one of the original 16 families and first Mayor of San Antonio, Texas.

Adelaide committed her life to the support and benefit of her family and her community.

In 1953, Adelaide met George, the love of her life, at La Villita, San Antonio Historic Village Riverwalk.  They married April 11, 1955 (69 years).  Instantly, the adventures and traveling began.  George became a pilot in the United States Air Force.  As a military family, they lived in Virginia, Georgia, Michigan, Florida, Texas, Arizona, Itsuki, Japan, the Philippine

Islands, California, and New Mexico.  After George retired the family stayed living in Portales, New Mexico for 44 years.

In 1956, Adelaide and George started their family raising 5 beautiful and successful children.  George Michael Speck of Lubbock, Texas, Laura Anne Speck Shepardson of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Stephen Anthony Speck of Clovis, New Mexico, Gregory Jose Speck of Lubbock, Texas, and James Allen Speck of Hondo, Texas.  George, Adelaide, (and their five children) all graduated from Eastern New Mexico University in Portales.

Adelaide received her Bachelor’s Degree in University Studies.

Adelaide was very active in her community.  She was a lifelong dedicated member of the

Catholic Church.  An active member Saint Helen’s in Portales, NM and Holy Spirit in

Lubbock, TX.  She belonged to many clubs and organizations:  Catholic Daughters of

America; a Certified Ombudsman with the State of New Mexico New Mexico Aging and Long-Term Services (16 years); a member of the Portales, NM Senior Center on the

Advisory Board; a Communion Minister for Shut Ins; a Red Cross Volunteer; a NM Roosevelt County Elections Worker; and delivered Meals on Wheels for 8 years in NM & Texas.

Adelaide worked at JC Penny’s in the catalog department, was the Editor of the Military Family Newspaper at Oxnard Air Force Base, California and after graduating from ENMU she was a Program Secretary for KENW Public Television Station.

Adelaide enjoyed golfing, being on the women’s bowling team, and traveling.  George and

Adelaide traveled to all 50 states, and internationally to Italy, Switzerland, France, Portugal, Spain, Estonia, Russia, Sweden, Denmark, China, Finland, Canada, and Mexico.  One of her favorite trips was when they traveled the Catholic Religious International Tour to Lordes, France and the Vatican in Rome, Italy.

Adelaide will be remembered for her dedication to her family.  She is survived by her husband, George Amandus Speck.  Her sisters:  Juliet Trevino and Anne DelaRosa.  Her brother, Mike Rodriguez (Diane). Her 5 children:  Mike (Ann), Laura (Lewis), Steve (Cindy), Greg (Kathryn), & Jim (Bob).  Her grandchildren:  Ret Lt Col James Whiteker (Crystal);

Mathew Shepardson, Callan Shepardson; Shonda Slavec (Jacob); Shanae Leyva (David); Christopher Speck (Lillie); Karissa Speck, Michael Speck; Payton and Austin Ware. Her great-grandchildren:  JP and Sora Whiteker; Seren and Emalee Shepardson; Ava & Lincoln Slavec; Adalynn Leyva;  Zachary, Chandler, & Theodore Speck; Naomi, Randal & Donn Ware.

She was preceded in death by her parents:  Jacob and Amparo Rodriguez; her aunt:  Amelia Garza; her brother-in-laws:  Julian DelaRosa and Rudy “Sonny” Trevino; her grandson:

James Whiteker; and her great granddaughter: Laikyn Rae Speck.

Visitation will be held from 3:00pm-9:00pm on Sunday, December 29,2024 at Guajardo Funeral Chapels at 407 N. University Ave., with a rosary beginning at 6:00pm.

Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00am on Monday, December 30,2024 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church at 9821 Frankford Ave.

Interment will follow at City of Lubbock Cemetery.

Following the services, the family will gather for a reception at the Primerose Townhome Clubhouse, 10003 Upland Ave.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to St. Jude's