Betty (Johnston) Gillespie

Betty Johnston Gillespie, 94, of Statesville, passed away, Friday, September 3, 2021 at her home.

Betty was born February 14, 1927 in Statesville, NC and was the daughter of the late William Frank Johnston and Betty Lou Hyman Johnston. She was a 1943 graduate of Statesville High School and also graduated from Mitchell College. In 1946 she married the late Ross H. Gillespie, who passed away November 14, 1988. Betty worked at Sears as a District Secretary until she retired in 1988 and also worked for Johnson Greenhouse until 2018.She was an active member of First ARP Church in Statesville, where she was a Deacon and Sunday School Superintendent. She was a member of Woman Civic Club, American Business Women’s Club and was named Woman of the Year twice.

Betty is survived by three grandchildren, Thomas Gillespie of Raleigh, NC, Allison Gillespie King and husband, Allen of Fairbanks, AK, Joy Gillespie of Wake Forest, NC; five great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by one son and daughter-in-law, Thomas F. Gillespie and Nadine Gillespie along with two brothers and three sisters.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 pm Friday, September 10, 2021 at First ARP Church with burial to follow at Oakwood Cemetery. Betty will lie in state on Thursday September 9, 2021 from 11:00-5:00 pm at Troutman Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made First ARP Church or to ALS Foundation, www.als.org

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