E. James “Jimmy” Gillespie, 75, of 103 Sycamore St., Webster Springs, died Thursday, March 28, 2002, at his residence, following an extended illness.
Mr. Gillespie was born Feb. 15, 1927, in Webster Springs, a son of the late Clarence W. and Bertha Baughman Gillespie.
He was married for 48 years to Nancy Cool Gillespie, who survives in Webster Springs.
Also surviving are two brothers, E. Bernard Gillespie and wife, Aretta, Cincinnati, Ohio, and Dr. David Gillespie, Frostburg, Md.; four sisters, Mrs. Dean (Helen) Hufford, Pulaski, Va., Lucille McCoy, Elyria, Ohio, Mrs. Bob (Sammie) Allman, Buckhannon, and Mrs. Melvin (Caroline) Cochran, Webster Springs; one sister-in-law, Betty McGinty, Clearwater, Fla.; special friends, Rosemary and Jeff Bean and Debbie Blake; and four caregivers, Flecia Brake, Brenda Collins, Lana Cutright and Jamie McIe.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Eugene Gillespie and Paul Felix Gillespie; and one sister, Louise Varney.
He was a local retired businessman, owner of Jimmy’s Exxon and E. James Gillespie Fuel Oil Distributors, Cherry Falls, for 33 years. He was a former member of Webster Springs Volunteer Fire Department. He was on the board of directors of Webster County National Bank, a former city councilman, a lifetime member of the WVU Alumni Association and a lifetime member of the VFW Post 3738.
He was a former employee of J.C. Baker & Sons and McCourt Motor Co.
He was a Navy veteran of World War II, having served on the USS Tennessee and was in the Battle of Iwo Jima 3-16/19-1945 and Okinawa 3-26-1945.
He attended the Church of Christ in Webster Springs.
Friends will be received at Dodd & Reed Funeral Home Thursday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Funeral services will be in the funeral home chapel Friday at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Nelson Harris, the Rev. Rich Demastus and Jack Alsop, eulogist, officiating. Interment will follow in Miller Cemetery. Military graveside rites will be accorded by the VFW Post 3738.
