Denise Michele (Taylor) Speese

Denise Michele (Taylor) Speese, 65, widow of Edward “Ed” Mohler Speese, of Buena Vista, passed away on Sunday, November 8, 2026 at the University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville, Virginia surrounded by her girls. Mrs. Speese was born in Lexington, Virginia on September 29, 1961, a daughter of the late Leonard William Taylor and Rachel (Bond) Taylor. Denise retired from Western State Hospital as a registered nurse. She was an avid animal lover, enjoyed reading, collecting house plants, doing arts and crafts, and decorating for the holidays. Surviving, are three daughters, Courtney R. Coffey of Natural Bridge Station, Dakota T. Speese of Staunton, and Kylee E. Speese and her wife, Lindsay Coffey of Staunton; a son, Edward Scott Brady Speese of MA; her beloved pets and children’s pets that she loved like grandchildren; special friends, Mona Shields, Katie Hostetter, and Kelley Trimble Ogden and their families; and many loved coworkers. A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 14, 2026 at Faith Baptist Church in Natural Bridge Station by Pastor Terry Bostic. The family will receive friends immediately following the service for a meal and fellowship. The family kindly requests no flowers. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial donation to the Staunton-Augusta Regional SPCA, P.O. Box 2014, Staunton, Virginia 24402 or the animal shelter of your choice. Coffman Funeral Home and Crematory, 230 Frontier Drive in Staunton is in charge of her arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.coffmanfuneralhome.net