John Gillespie

John Adam Gillespie, age 69 of Sorrells Baxter Rd. passed away Sunday, November 22, 2015 at Carolinas Healthcare System Lincoln. He was born on October 15, 1946 in Broome County, NY to the late Maxwell James and June Hilda Griffith Gillespie. John was an active member of Bess Chapel United Methodist Church and United Methodist Men. He received his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in education from Appalachian State University where his met his wife, Anita. He taught at Rock Springs Elementary, Asbury Elementary, was the principal at North Brook Elementary, assisted in the Drop Out Prevention Program of Lincoln County, and served as the disciplinary counselor at West Lincoln High School. He retired after 32 years of educating young minds. John was an avid sports fan and spent many years as a high school sports official. He and his family have camped at Daniel Boone Family Campground in Morganton for 35 years. In his younger years, he enjoyed fishing in Canada and New York. His random early morning phone calls to everyone will be missed as he was "a stranger to none and a friend to all." John's greatest pleasure was time spent with his family, friends, and his precious grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife of 45 years, Anita Beam Gillespie; children, Edi Gillespie Perez and husband, Patrick of Apex, John Adam Gillespie Jr. and Kate of St. Augustine, Fla., and Madylin Anita Gillespie of Cherryville; sister, Sandy McNeely and husband, Tommy of Cherryville; grandchildren, Samuel and Sally Perez and Jason and Emily Gillespie; sister-in-law, Becky Beam Childers and husband, James of Cherryville; and brother-in-law, Frank Beam of Cherryville.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, November 25, 2015 at 11:00 AM at Bess Chapel United Methodist Church with Pastors Bill Taylor, Randi Godfrey, and Tom Brooks officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at Carpenter's Funeral & Cremation Services.

Memorials may be made to Bess Chapel UMC Sound System Fund, 2741 HWY 274, Cherryville, NC 28021.