Mrs. Rose Gillespie

Our beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother, aunt, Rose Marie Spencer Gillespie was called to be with the Lord in eternal rest with her family by her side, on Tuesday, November 1, 2016. Rose Marie Spencer was born February 9, 1950 in High Point, North Carolina the daughter of Kenneth and Elizabeth Spencer. She was the fifth of six children. Rose accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church. She came to Saginaw in 1972 and soon after met and married Charles Gillespie. Rose graduated Summa Cum Laude from Saginaw Valley State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in art and social work. She was employed as a social worker by the State of Michigan until ill health cause her retirement. Upon moving to Saginaw, Rose immediately joined Bethel A. M. E. Church and was a loyal and faithful member of the Chancel Choir, a Bible School Teacher and a former member of the Courtesy Committee. She was initiated into Mu Phi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. at Saginaw Valley State University and upon graduation was affiliated with Eta Upsilon Omega Chapter until ill health prohibited her participation. However, she always participated in its community service projects such as Salvation Army’s Angel Tree, Shoes for Kids and backpack give away projects. Rose enjoyed working on art projects and frequently would design the program covers for Chancel Choir programs, Church Conference banners, sign and bulletin board. She frequently served as door watcher during the church’s prayer vigil. Rose was an avid bowler and tennis player. Her memory will be cherished by her devoted husband, Charles Gillespie; daughter, Tammie; grandson, Darian Marsalis who was the joy of her life; two brothers and one sister, Reginald Spencer, Inez (George) Currie and Kenneth Wayne Spencer, all of High Point, NC; a host of nieces and nephews including, Danita McNeil of Rockingham, NC, Keith Byers of NJ, Michael Byers of Greensboro, NC, Tina Wilson, High Point, NC, Barry Monroe of Saulsberry, NC, Cleopatra Spencer of Chesapeake, VA, Maria Spencer of Baltimore, MD, Sharon Graham, High Point, NC, Kenneth Spencer III of High Point, NC, Denise Spencer of Philadelphia, PA, Brandon Howard of Oklahoma and Darius Keith of High Point, NC; brother-in-law, Rev. Melvin Byers of Rockingham, NC; her memory will also be cherished by her adopted family, Yvette Wofford, Sylvia McAfee, Dr. Roslyn McQueen, Corr Lynn Wofford, Margaret and Henry Brown, Pamela Maloy, Mark Brown, Ryan Maloy and Cassandra Landrum; special friend and sister, Terry Johnson-Wise (Sands). Mrs. Gillespie was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Beverly Byers; brother, Vardry Spencer; mother-in-law, Mary Alice Curry; and brother-in-law, Arthur Gillespie. The family would like to offer special thanks to Pastor P. David Saunders and Rev. Thelma Williams for their constant prayers, visits and ministerial blessings, Mobile Medical Response (MMR), Bridgeport Spaulding Rescue Team, and Dr. Altamash Amin, Felissia Thomas, Elizabeth Collins and the Logan Families. “Well done good and faithful servant, you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of the Lord.” Funeral service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 11, 2016 at Bethel A.M.E. Church, 535 Cathay Street. Pastor P. David Saunders will officiate with interment in Forest Lawn Cemetery. Friends may call at the Evans & Browne's Funeral Home, 441 North Jefferson Avenue on Thursday from 2:00 until 8:00 p.m.

Mrs. Rose Gillespie

February 9, 1950 - November 1, 2016