Obituary for Betty Louise Gillespie (Sturgeon)
Betty Louise Gillespie, 93, originally of Kansas City, Missouri and most recently of Holts Summit, Missouri, passed away December 16, 2019, after a brief illness.
She was born to the late Shelby and Hazel Sturgeon, June 6, 1926, in Kansas City. Betty
graduated from Southeast High School in 1944.
She married the late Marion Leroy Gillespie on February 8, 1952 at Rock Hill Baptist Church with
Reverend Pinkerton officiating. They were married for 64 years and lived in the Brookside and South
Kansas City neighborhoods before Roy passed away in 2016. Betty then relocated to mid-Missouri for
retirement living at The Timbers in Holts Summit.
Betty is survived by two sons: Michael James Gillespie, of Kansas City; Kelly Patrick Gillespie, and daughter-in-law Diane Kay Thompson Gillespie, of Jefferson City. Betty is also survived by a granddaughter: Sarah Patricia Gillespie, of Washington, D.C.
Betty was predeceased by her daughter, Patricia Diane Gillespie in 2012. Betty was also predeceased by three Sturgeon brothers: Shelby Jr., Jack, and Don; and her favorite cousin, Bob White.
In addition to being a stay-at-home parent, Betty was employed over the years as an office clerk for Meyer Grain, Upjohn Pharmaceuticals, Marion Labs, and the USDA. She enjoyed camping in the family travel trailer, and she really loved shopping.
The family wishes to express its most sincere gratitude to her comprehensive care team from which there are many heroes that cared for her professionally and loved her deeply. During the last three years, The Timbers assisted living facility provided a retirement and team care environment which allowed Miss Betty to develop meaningful relationships with fellow residents. Importantly, Miss Betty embraced the ever-friendly support of The Timbers staff, and Betty’s personality continued to charm and challenge right to the end.
Family visitation and graveside services will be held on Friday, December 20, 2019 at 11 a.m. at the Mount Moriah Cemetery, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, MO under the direction of Freeman
Mortuary of Jefferson City.
In lieu of flowers, the Gillespie family encourages acts of kindness and service to those in need, and gifts to the causes and charities important to our friends.
She was born to the late Shelby and Hazel Sturgeon, June 6, 1926, in Kansas City. Betty
graduated from Southeast High School in 1944.
She married the late Marion Leroy Gillespie on February 8, 1952 at Rock Hill Baptist Church with
Reverend Pinkerton officiating. They were married for 64 years and lived in the Brookside and South
Kansas City neighborhoods before Roy passed away in 2016. Betty then relocated to mid-Missouri for
retirement living at The Timbers in Holts Summit.
Betty is survived by two sons: Michael James Gillespie, of Kansas City; Kelly Patrick Gillespie, and daughter-in-law Diane Kay Thompson Gillespie, of Jefferson City. Betty is also survived by a granddaughter: Sarah Patricia Gillespie, of Washington, D.C.
Betty was predeceased by her daughter, Patricia Diane Gillespie in 2012. Betty was also predeceased by three Sturgeon brothers: Shelby Jr., Jack, and Don; and her favorite cousin, Bob White.
In addition to being a stay-at-home parent, Betty was employed over the years as an office clerk for Meyer Grain, Upjohn Pharmaceuticals, Marion Labs, and the USDA. She enjoyed camping in the family travel trailer, and she really loved shopping.
The family wishes to express its most sincere gratitude to her comprehensive care team from which there are many heroes that cared for her professionally and loved her deeply. During the last three years, The Timbers assisted living facility provided a retirement and team care environment which allowed Miss Betty to develop meaningful relationships with fellow residents. Importantly, Miss Betty embraced the ever-friendly support of The Timbers staff, and Betty’s personality continued to charm and challenge right to the end.
Family visitation and graveside services will be held on Friday, December 20, 2019 at 11 a.m. at the Mount Moriah Cemetery, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, MO under the direction of Freeman
Mortuary of Jefferson City.
In lieu of flowers, the Gillespie family encourages acts of kindness and service to those in need, and gifts to the causes and charities important to our friends.