Elise Hartman Gillespie

Born in Crawford County, Georgia, Elise was the daughter of the late Timothy Jackson Hartman and Cleo McCarty Hartman. She was raised in Reynolds, Georgia, where she developed a deep love for music and community. Elise, accompanied by her Aunt Louise McCarty, spent time in New York City where she studied at Julliard and modeled for Barbizon Modeling Studio. She also represented Taylor County in the Miss Georgia pageant. Elise studied voice at Wesleyan College Conservatory, where she was honored as Sophomore Beauty, a reflection of both her outer grace and inner charm.

Elise loved being a wife, mother, and homemaker and being involved in many organizations in the Macon community including her Garden Club and Macon Junior League. She loved hosting guests in her home and always had her signature homemade Cheese Crisp Wafers and Baby Ruth Bars available to serve. She was a member of Vineville United Methodist Church and sang in the choir for many years.

Elise also enjoyed a dynamic and fulfilling career, working as a recruiter for Wesleyan College, a stylist with the Joseph N. Neel Company, and later as a successful realtor with several local firms. Her elegance, poise, and genuine interest in others made her beloved in every role.

In the mid-1970s, she married the love of her life, Paul Summers Gillespie. During their 41 years of marriage, they shared a beautiful life filled with gardening, golfing, and traveling the world. Paul preceded her in death, as did her brother Charlie Marshall Hartman, sister Sylvia Ann Smith, and great-grandson Chase Marshall Duggan.

Elise’s greatest joy was her family. She leaves behind a legacy of love through her children: John McDowell McElrath III (Ceil) of Macon, GA; Lisa McElrath Vance (Ed) of Cumming, GA; Ellen McElrath Duggan (Chuck) of Macon; Pamela Gillespie Emery (Mike) of North Augusta, SC; Paul Summers Gillespie Jr. (Elizabeth) of Claxton, GA; and Teresa Gillespie James of Collierville, TN.

She was a proud grandmother to twelve: John McElrath IV (Stacey), Ben McElrath (Sarah), Jim Wooten (Lorena), Katie Wooten Carollo (Tom), Sam Wooten, Michael Duggan (Marsha), Taylor Duggan Reichert (Thomas), Susan Emery Willens (Mike), Michael Emery (Megan), Josh Gillespie (Jennifer), Matt Gillespie (Sara Beth), and Ethan Gillespie. Her legacy extends to twenty-one great-grandchildren, each of whom brought her immense pride and joy.

A private family graveside service will be held on Tuesday, May 27 at 11:00 a.m., officiated by Reverend Chip Miller. Friends are invited to visit the family at Snow’s Memorial Chapel on Bass Road from 4 until 6 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations to a charity of your choice in Elise’s memory. Her legacy of elegance, kindness, and enduring love will continue to inspire all who were fortunate to know her.