Martha Gillespie

Tupelo - Martha Eleanor Gillespie, 88, died Monday, July 14, 2008, at The Sanctuary Hospice House after an extended illness. She was born June 8, 1920 in Little Rock, Ark. to the late Excell and Mabel Brewer Phillips. A long time resident of Tupelo, she graduated from Tupelo High School in 1937 and worked over 25 years for Savery's Insurance Agency. She loved her family and friends, reading, needlework, travel, and entertaining. She was a member of Sherman United Methodist Church where she was very active for many years.

Services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at Sherman United Methodist Church with Rev. Sid Burgess and Rev. Danny Wilburn officiating. Burial will be in Sherman Cemetery. W. E. Pegues Funeral Directors is in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include two daughters, Ellen Brewer Gillespie, and husband, Charles M. Goodman of Birmingham, Ala., Martha Hancock Gillespie Campbell of Olive Branch; two grandchildren, Lauren Gillespie Goodman of Birmingham and John Mitchell Campbell of Olive Branch and Oxford; and numerous good friends, neighbors and caregivers.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 47 years, John Hancock Gillespie; her parents, and a brother, William Phillips.

Visitation will be noon until service time Wednesday at the church.

Memorials may be made to The Friends of the Sherman Library Community Center Fund at any BancorpSouth location; or The Sanctuary Hospice House, PO Box 2177, Tupelo, MS 38803.