Lester Gillespie

Lester Gillespie, 89, of Rosman, passed away April 18, 2025 at Mission Hospital after a brief illness. He was married for 57 years to the late Shirley Gillespie who passed away on November 26, 2024.

He was born December 19, 1935 in Rosman to the late Leander and Annie Jordan Gillespie. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers Alfred (Dot), Ted (Reba), Jason, Robert, and Hugh (Ann) Gillespie and his sisters Lila (Sherrill) Stafford and Frances (Hovey) Waldrop, and brother-in-law Jack Leonard.

He joined the Army in 1956 and served in the 82nd Airborne Division. He liked to tell people that the first airplane he rode in, he jumped out of it. After leaving the army, he worked at Ecusta until retirement.

He is survived by his daughter Lisa Gillespie, son Jason Gillespie and wife Katie, and granddaughter Tyler Elizabeth Gillespie, sister Grace Leonard, and many nieces and nephews.

The memorial service for Lester will be held at Cherryfield Baptist Church on Friday, April 25, 2025, at 1 pm with an informal visitation following the service. A private graveside service will be held at Mt. Moriah Calvert Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Mt. Moriah Calvert Cemetery Fund, care of Cherryfield Baptist Church, 2070 Whitmire Road, Brevard, NC 28712.

Moore-Blanchard Funerals & Cremations is honored to be serving the family.