Pastor Zebera Speed

Pastor Zebera B. Speed, 74, was called to eternal rest on January 16, 2019 at Robert Wood Johnson Hospital, New Brunswick, NJ. She was born on June 3, 1944 in Meadville, Pennsylvania to the late Robert Eddy and Claranell Anderson. She was second of six children. She attended East High School until her senior year when she gave birth to her daughter Deborah Eddy. She then transferred to Academy High School where she graduated with honors. Throughout her high school years, she and her sister, Clarice, were in a musical group and performed at graduations, town functions and parties around the city of Erie, PA. They performed for the local television station’s music competitions. She was noticed by Count Basie and was asked to sing in his band and was also offered a contract with Motown Records, but she declined both opportunities, not knowing God had other plans for her life. Elder Speed continued her musical career by playing the piano for several churches in Erie, PA. Where she met and married Lavell Speed. With this union she gave birth to three sons, Lavell, Marius and Adrian. Elder Speed frequently visited family in New Jersey and eventually moved there and resided with her cousin, Gwen Baldwin until she was able to move out on her own. Elder Speed began to make a life for herself and her children by playing the piano for multiple churches in the area. Emmanuel Tabernacle Baptist Apostolic Faith Church of Somerset (ETB) is where she decided to plant her feet. ETB is where she grew in grace and matured in the faith. She was the choir director and played the piano for the church. If anyone needed help or something needed to be done in the church she was there to assist them. While assisting with the church she worked at Job Corp of Edison, then at the Jewish Federation of Edison. She was the Director of Worldwide Educational Services of New Brunswick from which she retired. Upon her retirement she was a certified substitute teacher for all grades in the New Brunswick Public Schools. She furthered her education at Thomas Edison University in Trenton, NJ where she received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Liberal Arts. During this time, she worked closely with Elders Ronald Hill and Elders Marie Hill, founders of ETB. Elder Speed was a faithful servant of the Lord. In 1997, she became a Minister of ETB Church. The Lord called her to become the Co-Pastor in 2002. Shortly thereafter, she was ordained and became the pastor of Emmanuel Tabernacle Baptist Apostolic Faith Church in 2003 and remained as such until her work was done and our Lord called her home. Elder Speed loved to work with children, sing, educate and visit other churches while traveling across the county to preach the Lord’s message, the Apostles Doctrine. She was loved by all she met and was a blessing to all she came in contact with. She will be missed for playing the piano, singing, seeing her beautiful smile and especially for her ability to preach the Word in and out of season. Predeceased by her mother, Claranell Hambrick; father, Robert Eddy; 2 siblings, Clarice Bankhead and David Eddy. Surviving are 4 children, Deborah Eddy, Adrian J., Marius J. and Lavell D Speed; 7 grandchildren; 2 great grandchildren and 5 siblings, Robert and Everett Eddy, Arthur Hambrick and Christopher Kolbas and Cherilyn Kolbas Perez; seven grandchildren; two great grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. In Lieu of flowers memorial contributions maybe made to Emmanuel Tabernacle Baptist Apostolic Faith Church. Arrangements by Anderson Funeral Service.

Pastor Zebera Speed

July 7, 1944 - January 16, 2019