Madeline Johnston Gillespie

Madeline Johnston Gillespie, born March 21, 1932 to Lucie and Dr. Christopher Johnston, V, of Durham, NC, died December 8, 2015, following a lengthy illness. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, December 12th in the First Baptist Church of Abbeville.Visitation will be one hour before the service from 10-11 AM in the church.Rev. Tony Dixon and Rev. Jim Faircloth will officiate. Interment will be in the family plot in the Stubbs Cemetery She is predeceased by a son, Christopher Keith Gillespie, and a sister, Lucie Harvey. She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Carl Gillespie, Jr.; sister Betsy Holland (Reno, NV); brother Christopher Johnston, VI (Greensboro, NC); daughters Lucy Keene (Broomfield, CO) and Carla (Ward) Brooks (Rochelle); grandchildren Kelly Keene (Nick) Werner (Louisville, CO) Joel Keene (Arnold, MO), Emily Keene (Tony) Thomas (Rosebush, MI), Carson Brooks (Abbeville), and Joseph Brooks (Rochelle);six great-grandchildren: Brooklynn, SofÃa, Erika, India, Cohen, and Oscar; and several nieces and nephews. She was a much-loved and dedicated high-school teacher for 32 years. She also worked as an EMT for the Wilcox EMS for eight years. She was a member of Abbeville First Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday school for some years, and was active in the choir and the WMU; Abbeville Lions Club; Georgia and Wilcox County Retired Educators Associations; and Joymakers. Gifted with many talents, she loved creating beautiful things through sewing, knitting, jewelry designing, and painting. She also enjoyed growing orchids, decorating wedding cakes, and making gourmet candies. The family would like to thank all the caregivers and friends who provided support throughout her illness. The family request that donations be made to the Abbeville First Baptist Church Building Fund, P. O. Box 385, Abbeville, Ga. 31001 or to Such is The Kingdom Ministries, Inc. –a Girl’s home in Honduras. Frazier and Son Funeral Home in Rochelle is in charge of arrangements. Please sign our online registry at www.fraziersonfuneralhome.com