Ella "Kat" Katherine (Speach) Mingo

Ella K. Speach Mingo was a daughter of the late Johnnie and Mamie L. Speach.  God called Kathy home on Friday, December 8, 2023.  

Kat, as she was affectionately known, was born August 25, 1951 in Leesville, South Carolina.  She was blessed to grow up with two biological sisters, Mary R. Speach and Johnnie M. Speach Lemon, and a step-sister, Nora Anderson.

Kat gave her life to God and joined Friendship Missionary Baptist Church at the age of 12 years old.  She completed grades 1-12 in the public schools of Batesburg-Leesville, South Carolina.  She had a successful career and retired from Richland County School District 1 after over 30 years.  She successfully worked in the federal system for over 4 years.  Kat made positive impact with the youth by volunteering and teaching Bible study at the Department of Juvenile Justice for over 12 years.  She also taught Sunday school and served as a choir assistant director at Friendship Baptist Church in the mid-80s.  Kathy participated in church choir and the Friendship Musical Choir, at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church.  Although she was a member of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, she had an “honorary” membership with St. Mark Baptist Church.  She was part of the civil rights movement back in the late 60s and 70s.  She successfully participated in integrating the Batesburg-Leesville schools.  She successfully served as a Town Council Member from 2011-2015.  She was a football fanatic – college or NFL and was the ultimate Dallas Cowboys fan.  Kathy married the late Sergeant First Class (Retired) Julian Ray Mingo, on July 19, 1975.

She is survived by two daughters, Maj. (Ret.) Christa M. Mingo-Walker and MSgt. (Ret.) Kimberly Mingo; a son-in-law, 1st Sgt. (Ret.) Harold A. Walker; three biological granddaughters, Jordin Mingo, Desr’Ray Dunbar-Mingo and Alexis Walker-Mingo; bonus grandsons, Allen Walker, Julian Walker and Eric Cox; bonus great-grandson, Jion Walker; two sisters, Mary R. Speach and Johnnie M. Speach Lemon.  She was blessed to have wonderful nieces, nephews and an abundance of cousins; one adopted sister, Robbie Banks; two adopted brothers, Eddie Leon Gantt and Michael Banks and one adopted son, CSM (Ret.) Ethan Dunbar.

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