Gladys Marie Gillespie

Gladys Marie Gillespie died Monday, July23, 2012. Gladys was born on April 21, 1938 in Holly Springs, Mississippi and raised by both parents, Minnie Pearl and Oatrus Newsom. Gladys was the youngest child of 5 girls, married in 1958 and moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan in 1960. Gladys graduated from Hamilton High School in 1957, was valedictorian, and played basketball, baseball, and participated in drama and sewing. She completed Alexander Beauty College in 1985 and became a licensed Cosmetologist and the only African-American instructor for a beauty school. She worked for Net Television station as a video tape inspector from 1963 – 1985, and after the building burned down, opened Little Citizens day care center. Gladys was a member of Bethel A.M.E. Church in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Here she was a member of the Stewardess Board, and elected president of the Pastor’s Aid Ministry in 1986 where she introduced the first Pastor’s Appreciation Day in 1986. She was a founding member of the Helping Hands Outreach Ministry and it was here she fulfilled her passion and loves to help the community, seniors, and kids. She organized a minority business expo, fashion shows for kids, luncheons and Christmas parties for seniors, and with the help of anonymous donors and generous donations from the community, was able to provide backpacks and school supplies for the youth, and clothes and toys to the Staples Family Shelter for the Homeless; and did it all with a smile. Gladys was always coming up with new ideas to help the community and was planning a job fair before she became ill. Gladys opened her home to many; many people who needed a place to live or just a listening ear. She was a determined and motivated person with a positive outlook despite life’s challenges. She wanted to do everything for everybody, but her body simply couldn’t do it any longer. Gladys loved sports, shopping, and watching westerns. She treated everyone with respect and love, and expected nothing in return. She leaves to cherish her memory her daughters, Priscilla Gillespie, Yolanda Gale Johnson, and Tonya Gillespie; grandchildren, Owen, Brittany, Stedman, Atiya, Jessica, and Alicia; 2 great grandchildren, Devaughn and Angeliyah; relatives, and many friends who loved her, helped her, and appreciated her. Perhaps they are not stars in the sky…but openings for our loved ones to shine thru to let us know they are at peace – unknown. Be glad of life because it gives you a chance to love and to work and to play and to look up at stars – Henry van Dyke. Services for Gladys will be held on Saturday, July 28, 2012 at Bethel A.M.E. Church, 900 John A. Woods Drive, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48105; Rev. Dr. Joseph N. Cousin, Pastor at 11:00 a.m. with Family Hour from 10:00 a.m. until time of service. She will be laid to rest at Arborcrest Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Staples Family Shelter, 3660 Packard Road, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48108; Phone: 734-761-7750. Please visit www.muehligannarbor.com to sign the online guest book and to leave the family your condolences.