Bishop Reginald C. Speed, Sr.

Bishop Reginald C. Speed, Sr., Pastor of True Gospel Temple Church, passed away on Monday, March 4, 2019.

Public Viewing for Bishop Reginald C. Speed, Sr. will be held on Saturday, March 16, 2019 from 12:00Noon-4:00PM at True Gospel Temple Church, 1316 Benton Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63106.

The National Celebration of Life for Bishop Reginald C. Speed, Sr. will be held on Sunday, March 17, 2019 at 3:00PM at True Gospel Temple Church, 1316 Benton Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63106.

The Committal and Interment will be held on Monday, March 18, 2019 at 11:00AM in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. The cortege will assemble at the church at 10:00AM.

Reginald C. Speed was born on May 27, 1947 to the union of James and Irma Speed.  He was the eldest of two children, born and raised in the church.  His introduction to Christ was through the leadership of his mother, Irma Speed and aunt, Lucille Boykin.  He gave his life to Christ at an early age. 

His mother realizing his gift to sing, she enrolled him in lessons with Professor P. C. Smith.  Early influences to further his understanding of the Lord were through his cousin, Vera Boykin, who would take him to services at Kennerly Temple Church of God in Christ.  He and his brother, Minister Malcolm Speed, would go throughout the city singing at many churches… his love for music and the Lord grew even stronger.  His mother wanting to ensure that he was not just singing but also receiving the word, had him attend services with her at Christ Southern Mission Baptist Church, where she was a member. After attending Christ Southern Mission on Sunday Mornings, after the benediction, he would go up to 23rd and Delmar to attend Delmar Temple Church of God in Christ (later became Bostick Temple Church of God in Christ). It was there he met the love of his life, Armilia Holman, and would pursue her at a very early age.

Reginald C. Speed graduated from Soldan High School in 1965, and later attended Forest Park Community College.  He was later drafted into the United States Army during the Vietnam War, where he served until being honorably discharged in August 1968. 

On September 22, 1968, he would marry the love of his life, Armilia Holman.  He adored her from the time he was sixteen. To their union came the birth of two children, Lakita Speed and Reginald C. Speed, Jr.  Reginald was an avid sportsman, having played semi-pro football.  He also played softball for the United States Postal Service, where he worked for thirty-six years.  He coached the company softball team naming them “The Stragglers.”  His love for the youth, driven by passion for community and sports lead him to coach several championship JFL teams.  This would encourage him to understand that although he loved sports, he loved the work of the ministry even greater.  He would go on to be youth director for the Sanders Ensemble at Bostick Temple Church of God in Christ, under the leadership of Pastor Robert Sanders.  He would be notably remembered for his teaching the ensemble songs like “Going Up Yonder” (Walter Hawkins) and “I Feel Brand New.”  His hunger and desire to be enriched intellectually and spiritually, led him to attend St. Louis Christian College, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in May 1979.  While still at Bostick Temple Church of God in Christ, under the leadership of Bishop Chandler D. Owens, he would be ordained an Elder, and promoted to Junior Pastor.  He remained faithful to the ministry as a servant, of Bostick Temple Church of God in Christ, under the leadership of Pastor Carl Terrell l through 1986. 

In 1986, Reginald C. Speed, Sr. would go on to serve under the leadership of his father-in-law the late Bishop Augustus Holman Sr.  Bishop Augustus Holman, Sr. had formed the True Gospel Temple Church, and elevated Reginald. C. Speed, Sr. to Assistant Pastor.  Pastor Reginald C. Speed, Sr. would faithfully serve Bishop Holman, until his passing in June 1995.  Pastor Reginald C. Speed, Sr. would take the reins to fulfill his father-in-law’s vision and propel True Gospel Temple Church into higher heights and deeper depths.  Realizing that his spiritual leader and pastor, Bishop Augustus Holman, had transcended he came under the leadership of Bishop Willie B. Moore (founder of Faith Temple the Church of God in Christ Congregational) and would serve him faithfully. 

After several accomplishments through the hand of the Lord, he was pressed by God to build a new edifice for True Gospel Temple Church.  In October 2005, Pastor Reginald C. Speed, Sr. and the True Gospel Temple Church completed the building of True Gospel Temple Church (building number 2). 

In 2007, he was consecrated Bishop in the Pure Gospel Interdenominational Fellowship under his brother, Apostle Dr. Edward G. Holman, Sr. (Presiding Prelate), and would serve as the 1st Vice Presiding Bishop of the Pure Gospel Interdenominational Fellowship.  In May 2007, he would receive an Honorary Doctoral Degree from the Light of the World Redeemed Bible College and Institute.  He would also receive several outstanding Pastoral awards and an innumerable number of accolades.  He was giving to hospitality, faithful, diligent and willing to serve the people of God and his community.  He fellowshipped and served in whatever capacity needed in reformations such as Christians Equipping Christians for Outreach, Apostle Russel Freeman and the Missouri Bishop’s Conclave and Archbishop Michael West.

Bishop Reginald C. Speed, Sr. served as senior pastor of True Gospel Temple Church for more than twenty-four years.   On March 4, 2019, God called a Faithful Servant home to be with him.  He was faithful in marriage for more than fifty years, faithful in father-hood, faithful in son-ship, faithful in brotherhood, faithful in leadership, faithful in servanthood, faithful in ministry, faithful in life!

His parents preceded him in death, James and Irma Speed, as well as his parents, Bishop Augustus and Mother Artie Mae Holman.

Bishop Reginald C. Speed, Sr. leaves to cherish his legacy, his devoted and loving wife, Armilia Speed; daughter, Lakita Speed; son, Bishop Dr. Reginald C. Speed, Jr, (Darlene); five handsome grandsons, Donte’ (Hymita) Speed, Armon Speed, Joshua Speed, Tristan Speed and Ian Speed; two great-grandchildren, Emmanuel Speed and Legacy Wells; siblings, Minister Malcolm Speed, Christy (Frank) Rimson, Martinez (Albert) Robinson, Juanita (Dwayne) Taylor, Terry (Carrie) Holman, Lisa Holman, Keith (Melody) Holman, and Apostle Edward (Debora’) Holman. 

Two siblings preceded him in death, Augustus Holman, Jr. and Satiria (Charles) Barnes.

He will also be remembered by a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, spiritual sons, spiritual daughters, godchildren, friends, colleagues and True Gospel Temple Church.

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