On Oct. 24, 2024, Mrs. Velvet Lee Gillespie, 58, of Carrollton, passed away at the University Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson. Funeral arrangements will include visitation Friday, Nov. 1, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. in the First Baptist Church Family Life Center with a Home Going service at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2, at First Baptist Church in Winona. Oliver Funeral Home of Winona will facilitate all arrangements. Burial will be in the Itta Bena Cemetery, Itta Bena. The Rev. Jay Anderson and Dr. Joe Pate will officiate the service. Pallbearers will be George Gillespie, Alex Gillespie, Robert Perry, Cliff Herndon, Timmy Slaton, and Jim Miller.
Mrs. Gillespie was born on June 10, 1966, to Patricia Ann Jackson and the late Ernest Wayne Jackson in Greenwood. Mrs. Gillespie worked as a nurse and spent time all throughout the delta and hills of North Mississippi where she faithfully served in that capacity for over 30 years. During her time as a nurse, she has had the opportunity to invest so much in others' lives by performing acts of kindness and sharing the love of Jesus through her profession. Mrs. Gillespie was a long-time member of the First Baptist Church of Greenwood and most recently First Baptist Church of Winona, where she served in the choir and in the children’s ministry. She also loved spending time baking cakes, sewing and always starting some sort of project.
She was preceded in death by her dad, Ernest Wayne Jackson in 1991. She is survived by her husband, George Robert Gillespie and son, Alexander Robert Gillespie (Julianna), two daughters Abigail Patricia Gillespie and Ashlyn Elizabeth Gillespie, one granddaughter McKena Holland Gillespie, mom, Patricia Ann Jackson of Milton, Fla., sister, Helen Frances Herndon (Cliff) of Milton, Fla. and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. Mrs. Gillespie will always be remembered for so many years of dedicated compassionate service to Christ and to others that gave her happiness.
Memorials may be sent to The Baptist Children's Village, P.O. Box 27, Clinton, MS 39069 or the charity of your choice.
An online guestbook may be signed at www.ofhwinona.com
