Gretchen Louise Gillespie Obituary (1935

Gretchen Louise Gillespie was born in Clayton, Louisiana on August 9, 1935, to William Pierce and Mary Graham. She spent her early childhood in Clayton, Louisiana and Natchez, Mississippi, where she attended school until she relocated to Benton Harbor, Michigan, with her mother and stepfather, Mack Graham, Sr. Gretchen accepted Christ at an early age. Gretchen graduated from St. John's Catholic High School in Benton Harbor, Michigan, in 1953. Upon receiving her LPN License from Lake Michigan College, she went on to Western Michigan University and received her Bachelors and Masters Degree as a Registered Nurse. Gretchen had a long history of providing care to others. During her teen years she volunteered as Candy Striper at Memorial Hospital (now Lakeland Regional Medical Center) and assisted nurses with patient care. She worked from 1959-1999 at that medical facility in the capacity of a License Practical Nurse and a Registered Nurse, ending her career there as a Head Nurse. On a regular bases Gretchen encouraged and assisted other young men and women in furthering their careers in the medical profession. Gretchen loved to work with the youth in the community. Sports and education were here passion and she was the Director of the Benton Harbor Little League and Babe Ruth Baseball for many years. She worked as an Orange Coat for the Benton Harbor Athletics Department for over 10 years. Even with her busy schedule she would still find time to tutor youth with their schoolwork. On the morning of Wednesday, September 4, 2013, God called Gretchen home to dwell with Him. Left to cherish her precious memories is her husband William Gillespie, Sr., of Benton Harbor, MI; six sons: Donald (Roxie) Pierce of Tacoma, WA, Craig (Anna) Johnson of Flint, MI, Michael (Susan) Gillespie of Benton Harbor, MI, Robert Gillespie of Atlanta, GA, and Vincent Gillespie of Benton Harbor, MI; one daughter: JoAnn Young of Benton Harbor; two brothers: Mack (Kathy) Graham of Lakewood, WA, and Jack D. Graham of Portland, OR; three sisters: Diann Graham of San Antonio, TX, Lynette (Greg) Harris of Capitol Heights, MD, and Janice E. Graham of Las Vegas, NV; a special grand daughter: Tracy Pierce of Benton Harbor; special cousin: Barbara Long of Chicago, IL; a special nephew: Antonio Graham, along with a host of other grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, godchildren and friends. Gretchen was preceded in death by parents: Mack and Mary L. Graham, and William Pierce; two children: Larry Smith and Neceda Michelle Hill; two grandchildren: Sherrie Gillespie and Lester Young, Jr.; two sisters: Ethel Mae Murphy and Doris F. Sims; and one brother: Tommy Graham. Visitation will be held on Friday, September 13, 2013, at Second Baptist Church, 600 Donald Adkins Dr., Benton Harbor, at 10:00 a.m., with a service to follow at 11:00 a.m. Flowers to be sent to the church. Burial will follow at Crystal Springs Cemetery, Benton Harbor.