The Speight Sisters of Snow Hill, NC
The Speight Sisters originated in the late 40’s in Snow Hill, North Carolina, while Annie, Ella and Bertha Speight, daughers of Roosevelt Speight, were just teenagers. They loved to sing and would perform at various school activities and churches within their community.
In the late 50’s, they relocated to Washington, D.C., where they continued singing in the metropolitan area. In 1969, the group was reorganized to include two sets of sisters. Joyce Hamelin, Cynthia Guinn, and Vanessa Quarles, daughters of Pryann (Speight) Farmer and first cousins to Annie, Ella, and Bertha, joined the group. Cority Quarles, Jr., husband to Vanessa Quarles, also joined the group as their pianist.
This family of singers traveled many years throughout the United States praising God and stirring the hearts of many with the gift of song. They would also minister to their audiences with prayers of healing and words of exhortation.
The Speight Sisters have performed on the White House lawn and at Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C. Just to name a few, they have sung on programs with the Dixie Hummingbirds, the Caravans, Shirley Caesar, the Mighty Clouds of Joy, Dorothy Norwood, Luther Barnes and the Richard Smallwood Singers.
The Speight Sisters have made several appearances on television and were also heard on the radio. They made four recordings during their ministry together. The group was selected by the Gospel Award Incorporation as the Best Female Group for 1972, 1973, 1975, and 1976. In 1974, the group was selected as Outstanding Group of the Year. In 1984 and 1985, the Sisters were deemed Most Outstanding Vocal Gospel Group in the Nation’s Capital by Pryze Productions.
Today, they can be seen and heard all over the world at:
This melodious union of family singers will always be remembered with dignity and honor.