WALTERBORO :   Mr. Howard Franklin Speaks, husband of Carey Warren Speaks, passed away Monday, March 7, 2022, at his home in Walterboro, SC surrounded by his loving family. He Was 78.

Howard was born February 5, 1944, and was raised in Camden, SC. He was the son of the late Robert Glenn Speaks and the late Virginia Fisher Speaks Humphries and attended Pine Tree Hill Elementary School (the same elementary school where his grandson Brady attends now). In high school, he was a member of the Key Club, played football, basketball, and ran track. He graduated from Camden High School in 1962. Following graduation, he attended North Greenville Junior College then transferred to Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City, TN and graduated in June of 1966 with a Bachelor of Science degree. His yearbooks indicate he was known as "Tree," "Squeaks" and "Howie".  He is still called Howie by some or Pop-Pop Howie by his grandchildren. In the fall of 1966, Howard entered the United States Peace Corps and was sent to the Marshall Islands to teach English as a second language. He was assigned to an outer island, Majuro, along with a fellow volunteer and friend, Al Fowler. He enjoyed his time in the Marshall Islands so much so that he requested an extension and was transferred to a different island to teach at another school. He returned to the United States in 1969 to begin his twenty-seven-year career as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor for the South Carolina Commission for the Blind. In 1970, Howard was assigned to the Walterboro District office. John and Linda Shaylor organized a blind date between Howard and Carey Warren December of 1970; they wed December 18, 1971, at the Williams United Methodist Church.

In October 1974, they were blessed with the birth of their first daughter, Rebecca, and a second daughter, Virginia "Ginger", in December 1977. Howard was President of the Booster Club at CPA and often reminisced about the good times he had and the group of parents he worked with. He never missed a game, event, or activity where his children were involved. He sang in the Bethel UMC choir for many years. Many memories were made during their summer vacations at the "Gemini" house at Edisto Beach with family and friends. He loved being outdoors, going on nature walks, bird watching, and going on "ghost-busting" adventures with family and friends at Edisto. He also enjoyed taking day trips to Donnelly Wildlife with his nephews and grandchildren.

Surviving in addition to his wife of 50 years, are his daughters and their spouses: Rebecca and Charlie Marino of Camden; Ginger and Hunter Long of Rembert; grandchildren: Payton and Griffin Marino; Brady Long; his brother Joe Speaks and his wife Phyliss of Camden; numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, his father-in-law and his mother-in-law, Russell and Laura Warren, and his brother John Speaks and his wife Nancy. The family would like to extend their gratitude for the loving care provided by Homestead Palliative and Hospice Services.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 noon on Friday, March 11, 2022, at Bethel United Methodist Church in Walterboro. The Reverend Doctor Scott Wachter will officiate the service.  Howard's nephew, Reverend Stephen Speaks, will provide the eulogy and speak on behalf of the family.  The family will receive friends prior to the service from 10:00am – 11:30am in the church sanctuary, and memorials may be made to Bethel United Methodist Church, 355 Hampton Street, Walterboro, SC 29488, to the Friends of Colleton County Animal Shelter (FOCCAS), 33 Poor Farm Road, Walterboro, SC 29488 or to the Williams Cemetery Fund, c/o Mary Couch, PO Box 33, Williams, SC 29493.