Grand Slam Club / Ovis

A long-time Cleveland businessman and friend to the community died yesterday afternoon after being involved in a two-vehicle collision on U.S. Highway 61 near Merigold.

speakes drawing

Leland Speakes Jr., 80, was killed instantly after his 2009 GMC Envoy collided with a tractor trailer at approximately 2:15. “We think Mr. Speakes was going west on Pemble Road coming out of Merigold…and the truck that hit him was going south,” Master Sgt. Bob Williford of the Mississippi Highway Patrol said.

Lee Autman of Marks was the driver of the tractor trailer, and Williford said he didn’t believe Autman suffered any injuries. The MHP will now reconstruct the scene, a standard procedure any time there is a fatality. According to Williford, what was gathered from the scene shows that Speakes did not see the truck coming, for whatever reason. “It’s a bad thing that happened,” Williford added. “I don’t see anything wrong in that wreck. I don’t know why he didn’t see him coming. I just don’t know. This is a shame.” While emergency responders were on the scene, news of the accident spread throughout the county and many friends and associates began the mourning process.

“First and foremost, he was close to his family and friends,” said local attorney and Merigold Mayor Andrew Westerfield. “He was a smart and respected businessman, outdoorsman and conservationist. He was a long-time member of the Merigold Hunting Club and an avid bow hunter.” Westerfield is president of the hunting club and had known Speakes for many years. “He will certainly be missed,” he added.

Speakes traversed the globe hunting and became the first Mississippian to achieve a “Grand Slam” in sheep hunting after bagging a Dall Ram, Stone Ram, Rocky Mountain Bighorn and Desert Bighorn.

Along with the outdoors, Speakes was a strong fixture at First Presbyterian Church. “He’s been a leader in this church for years,” Rev. Sid Harmon said. “He was an elder, he was head of our administrative committee, which handles the personnel and finances of the church. He was a leader in a lot of ways. He enjoyed life and was a big hunter. He was well-rounded, very beloved and he’s going to be tremendously missed.”

Speakes was a military veteran and flew fighter jets during the Korean War. After the war ended, he returned to Cleveland and opened up Leland Speakes Real Estate, Inc., which has since served the region for 53 years.

Funeral arrangements are pending with Ray Funeral Home and finalized times will be available at www.rayfuneralhome.net <http://www.rayfuneralhome.net> later this afternoon.