Lucy Gillespie, 86, passed peacefully into the arms of her Savior on Sunday, September 15, 2024. Born Lucy Rose Caldwell on November 15, 1937, Lucy grew up in the Granite Capitol of the World, also known as Elberton, Georgia. She was one of four children born to Jack and Sadie Caldwell. She attended area schools, graduating from Elberton High in 1955.
Lucy had the great fortune of marrying into a family of seven brothers. She caught the eye of Air Force Staff Sergeant William Lafayette Gillespie, brother number four. Bill and Lucy married in 1957 and had thirty wonderful years together before his death in 1987. Their marriage produced two loving children, Eleanor Ann and William Michael. The family of four traveled for Bill’s military career, including stints in the Philippines and Mountain Home, Idaho before settling in Columbia, South Carolina.
Lucy worked as the church secretary at Kathwood Baptist for twenty years, while earning her AA degree. She could often be found at sporting events, watching her grandchildren play everything from basketball to soccer. As a lifelong Presbyterian, she was a member of the “coffee cups class” at Petersen Presbyterian, and served as the church pianist. Lucy was then active at Forest Lake Presbyterian.
Lucy’s great passion was dogs, often preferring them to people. She was never without a canine companion- Dumb Dumb, Klaus, Sandy, Oreo, and Essie, to name a few. Lucy often fostered dogs from Palmetto Animal Assisted Life Services (PAALS), where she volunteered for many years.
Lucy is survived by her son, William Michael “Mike” Gillespie (Kelly) of Columbia, SC; six grandchildren, Matt Gillespie (Sarah), Will Gillespie (Lauren), Scott Gillespie, Catherine Gillespie Lemon (Davis), Riley Ammons, and Reagan Ammons; and four great-grandchildren, Addison and Evie Gillespie, Jack Gillespie, and her namesake, Lucy Lemon. In addition to her parents, Lucy was predeceased by her daughter, Ann Gillespie; brothers, Tom and Donnie Caldwell, and sister, Betty Thornton.
The family would like to thank Nakisha, Badetra, Shayla, and others who cared for Lucy so well in her last years at Brookdale Assisted Living.
A service of celebration to honor Lucy’s life will be held on Tuesday, September 24, 2024 at 11:00 a.m., Forest Lake Presbyterian Church, 6500 North Trenholm Road, Columbia, SC. The family will receive friends at 10:00 a.m. in the church narthex prior to the service. Lucy will be interred alongside her husband in a private burial at Greenlawn Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to PAALS, 221 N. Grampian Hills Road, Columbia, SC 29223, or online at www.paals.org.
Dunbar Funeral Home is assisting the family. Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.
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