Margaret was born July 11, 1924 in Stanley, NC to Robert Milton and Harriet Long Cloninger. She was one of seven children raised on a working farm. Forever proud of her heritage, she never let anyone forget that her family came to North Carolina in 1765. Margaret was playing basketball for Stanley High School as a senior captain when she caught the eye of David Gillespie, who was moonlighting as a high school official while writing sports for the Gastonia Gazette. They were married in 1942 and settled in Gastonia, where she modeled and worked in retail until their first child, Lane, was born. Following World War II and David’s return from duty in France and Germany, they resumed their lives in Gastonia, and David later established the Gaston Citizen newspaper with Margaret by his side selling advertising. Subsequent years saw the birth of three more children and David’s career moves, which took them to High Point, Shelby, Charlotte and Raleigh. Margaret gracefully raised four children, took on a myriad of volunteer jobs and worked outside the home when time permitted. Never idle, after her youngest child entered college, she began a career in Real Estate, joining Realtor Sim Wells in Raleigh, earning her Broker’s license and becoming a partner in Wells and Gillespie. She later joined York Properties, where she worked until well into her seventies.
Margaret was a proud member of White Memorial Presbyterian Church, where she was an active in the women of the church and the wedding guild. She lived her faith by being kind and treating all people with respect. She was an unwavering Democrat and UNC fan, made a mean chocolate icing and had been known to brew her own red wine until a minor explosion ended her aspirations of being a vintner. She kept a basketball goal in the backyard expressly so she could shoot baskets with her grandchildren. When health issues began to diminish her mind and body, she accepted the transitions she faced without complaint. She was blessed in her last years to remain at home with her loving caregiver Beatrice, who, with her team, soothed and sustained her until the end. Community Hospice provided loyal care to Margaret.
In addition to her parents and David, her devoted husband of 64 years, Margaret was predeceased by her brothers, Ladd, Melvin, Charles, and Howard Cloninger, her sister, Jane Garrison and her sons-in-law, Philip W. Cooke and William H. Gammon.
She is survived by her brother Calvin of Stanley; her children, Lane Cooke of Pittsboro, Jessica Gammon, Mary Margaret Gillespie and friend Eric Smith, and David Gillespie and wife Dana, all of Raleigh; her grandchildren, Margaret Gammon Blythe and husband Bryan of Charlotte, Paige Gillespie Eason and husband Brian, Anna Walker Gillespie and Grayson Gillespie, all of Raleigh; her great grandchildren, Margaret, Hunter and George Blythe of Charlotte; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The Witness to the Resurrection Service will be held at White Memorial Presbyterian Church, 1704 Oberlin Road, Raleigh on Monday, April 11 at 2 pm. The family will greet friends after the service in the Jane Bell Gathering Space. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to White Memorial Presbyterian Church or Community Hospice.
Arrangements by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, Saint Mary's St., Raleigh.
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