Dorothy Gillespie

Dorothy Gillespie, age 95 of Malvern, died Saturday, August 16, 2014 in the Malvern hospital. She was born on May 19, 1919 in Velie, Arkansas (Ouachita County) to the late William Dexter Gillespie and Bertha Raleigh Gillespie. Reared and receiving her early education in Malvern, graduating from Malvern High School in 1938, she went on to become a research librarian. For 30 years she worked in New Orleans at the Southern Institute of Technology, a research lab. During World War II, she was employed at the Army-Navy Hospital in Hot Springs in the same capacity, sometimes writing letters on behalf of sick and injured servicemen, to their loved ones. She had also worked for the United States Forestry Service. She had a passion for genealogy and was an avid reader. Miss Gillespie was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the local Historical Society. She was a longtime active member of First Presbyterian Church of Malvern. Her survivors include her brother, Roland Gillespie of Malvern, her nephew, Dexter Hill; her nieces, Tommie Hill Gray, Cindy Gage, Cathy Chancellor, and Crystie Brantley; and numerous great-nieces and –nephews, and great-great-nieces and –nephews. Miss Gillespie was also preceded in death by a sister, Marie Gillespie Hill, and brother, Tom Gillespie, who was killed in World War II, and by five half-siblings. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday morning, August 19, 2014 in the sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church with Reverend Catherine Allsbury officiating and under the direction of J.A. Funk Funeral Home. A reception will follow in the church's fellowship hall. Memorials are requested to First Presbyterian Church, Malvern. Online condolences may be sent via jafunkfuneralhome.com.