Obituaries

Estelle A. Gillespie

Photo of Estelle A. Gillespie
ESTELLE A. GILLESPIE, 90, of Little Rock, passed away April 27, 2019. Born in Memphis, Tenn., to Eugene W and Eddie Conway Austin Packard, she moved to Conway when her father joined the staff at the University of Central Arkansas and her mother taught English at Conway High School. After graduation from Conway High School, Estelle attended UCA where she earned her B.S. Degree in Music Education. In 1950, she married Joseph Gillespie. Her life was spent taking care of her family and supporting her husband as they moved from town to town. She gave private music lessons and was always a member of her church's choir. In later years, she volunteered at her church, hospitals and with CARTI. She was a member of St. James United Methodist Church. Her legacy that she leaves to us and lived her life by is "laughter is the best medicine." Her smile was a great gift for herself and all who loved her. She was preceded in death by her parents and her loving husband of 61 years, Joe. She is survived by her children, Joseph Wayne Gillespie Jr. and wife, Pat, of Collinsville, Illinois, Ginny Lee Gillespie Keith and husband, Alex, of Tulsa, Oklahoma and Kenneth Bret Gillespie and wife, Loraine, of Greenville, South Carolina; sister, Jean Packard Gray and husband, Bill, of Nashville, Tennessee; seven grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews and friends. Services will be held at St. James United Methodist Church on Monday, May 13 at 11 a.m., followed by inurnment in St. James' Columbarium. Rev. Greg Schick will officiate. Visitation will precede the service beginning at 10:00 a.m. at the church. Memorials may be made to St. James UMC or to one's favorite charity. Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct., (501) 224-2200. Mrs. Gillespie's online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.

Published May 12, 2019

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