Mrs. Emma Lee Gillespie

Emma Lee Brooks Gillespie was welcomed into her heavenly home July 3, 2025, at the glorious age of 96. She spent her final days on Earth just as she wished - in her home surrounded by family. Emma Lee was born August 18, 1928, to Thomas and Ethel Lee Brooks in Starkville, Mississippi. During her childhood she resided for a short time with a relative in St. Louis, Missouri but returned to Starkville as a teenager. After returning to Starkville, she graduated from Oktibbeha County Training School. She accepted Christ early in life and became a member of Rockhill United Methodist Church. After marrying Henry Lee Gillespie, Sr., she joined Sand Creek Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. She served faithfully at Sand Creek in several roles, including as an usher and a nurse’s aide. She also helped with the hospitality ministry and wherever she could use her skills and talents. In her later years, she regularly attend Sunday services and support the church’s various ministries. She was proud and honored to be the eldest member of her church – and enjoyed the special treatment that came along with the title! Emma was always looking for ways to gain knowledge to help her family and community. In September of 1975, she was recognized by the Mississippi State Extension Service for her participation and contributions to the Expanded Food Nutrition Education Program. She worked in domestic roles for many years before joining the Custodial Services at MSU. After retiring from MSU, Emma had more time to get involved in activities that brought her joy. She joined the Clover Leaf Garden Club and enjoyed the monthly meetings that included good food and fellowship at the homes of the members. She also attended weekly activities for seniors at the Starkville Sportsplex where she looked forward to crafts, games and time with friends. She loved having family and friends in her home for holiday gatherings, birthday celebrations, and other special occasions. Emma loved playing cards at those events and rarely turned down an invitation for a game of spades. Her legacy though will be her love and extraordinary capacity to care for others. She was, by nature, a caregiver. She raised her four children and helped with the upbringing of the generations to follow, right down to her great grandchildren. As her own children were growing up, she was a domestic worker for Morris and Ann Thompson. Their sons, Kevin and Jim, were blessed to be on the receiving end of Emma’s love and nurturing. They have remained in contact with her throughout the years. If one of Emma’s family members was ill – one of her children, a grandchild, a sibling, a niece or nephew – she would step in to help in the healing process. She became caregiver to her sisters and brother when they were hospitalized or homebound. She cooked meals, sat bedside, and talked about God’s goodness. In the late 1980’s when her mother-in-law, Beatrice Gillespie, had grown older and needed help at home, Emma did what her heart instructed. She moved her from Egypt, Mississippi to her home in Starkville. “Mother Beatrice,” as she lovingly called her, lived her final years under the tender loving care of Emma. And those are just family testimonies. When she worked on the custodial staff at Mississippi State, several college students who were far from family benefited from her kindness. Whether it was a meal, a visit to her home in Rockhill, or just a listening ear, Emma extended compassion, kindness, and care. She spent many afternoons - even into her 90s visiting sick and shut-ins from her church and spreading joy at nursing homes. Caring for others was her lifelong mission and ministry. Emma didn’t mince words. She was truthful. Candid yet compassionate. Sweet with a side of sass. Every conversation included a testimony about God’s goodness. She encouraged her children, grandchildren, and many others she mentored to “always keep God first” and “listen to the Holy Spirit.” Preceding her in death were her husband, Henry Lee, an infant daughter, Doris, a son Henry, Jr., a great-grandson, Jarrius Gillespie, a brother John Henry Brooks, and three sisters, Dorothy Brooks Thompson, Ella Mae Brooks Hill, and Mary Catherine Brooks Williams. Left to carry on her legacy of love are her children: Don Gillespie, Vera Self, Lesia (Sean) Mabry; her grandchildren Teresa (Chris) Harris, Aundrea (David) Nichols, Ricco Vance, Corliss Gillespie, D. Quentin Gillespie, Jarrod (Tarhonda) Gillespie, and Ryan Gillespie; nine great grandchildren, one great-great grandchild; two bonus grandchildren, Ken Oliver and Angel Oliver, and many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. Emma also had a devoted and lifelong friend who was more like a sister, Claretha Hogan Johnson. They were each other’s prayer partner, confidant and sounding board. Emma is godmother to Claretha’s son, Rogeric Hogan.

Tributes

Mrs. Emma Lee Gillespie

August 18, 1928 - July 3, 2025