Arlie Belle Creagar Gillespie

She was the beloved daughter of Walter Emmett Creagar and Arlie Mildred Creagar (Gardner). Arlie pursued her education with dedication, earning a bachelor's degree in social work from the University of Kansas and a master's degree in counseling and guidance from Indiana University.

In 2006, Arlie moved to the Twin Lakes community, where she became a very active volunteer. She contributed to the on-campus voting program, served as the Aldersgate Apartment representative, and was involved in the Twin Lakes Auxiliary Award Scholarship program. Arlie was an active participant in the Presbyterian Women's circles and served on the pastor search committee twice at First Presbyterian Church in Pensacola, FL. She also led the Lions Club Eyeglasses Program in Pensacola, FL, for many years. Her community involvement extended to her roles as a guidance counselor at Pensacola School of Liberal Arts and an inmate counselor at FPC Saufley Field, Pensacola, FL. She was a member of Mensa International and a dedicated member of First Presbyterian Church in both Pensacola, FL, and Burlington, NC.

Arlie was an active volunteer who never shied away from leadership roles, whether in high school clubs, college sorority life, or community and church activities.

Arlie was a gracious lady, strong in her faith in Christ, and cherished her family and friends. She enjoyed entertaining, hosting bridge club, participating in Toastmasters International events, and being in the company of pets. She delighted in music, reading, and lively spirited conversation.

Arlie was preceded in death by her two daughters, Karen Sue Gillespie, who passed away on April 21, 1960, after two short months of life, and Arlie Catherine Nay (Gillespie), who lived from April 15, 1955, to February 4, 2012. She is survived by her children, Kimberly F. (Gillespie) and her husband Gary R. McPherson of Gibsonville, NC, and Craig W. and his wife Kathy M. Gillespie (Kohrman) of Waterloo, IN. Her legacy continues through her grandchildren: Hunter and Laura Nay (Autery) of Whitney Point, NY; Taylor Bolt (Nay) of Fountain, FL; Ian and Lyndsey McPherson (Sharpe) of Greensboro, NC; Katherine (McPherson) and Joshua Wall of Raleigh, NC; Dr. Nicole Schroeder, DVM, and Oliver Schroeder of Garrett, IN; Adeline Gillespie of Waterloo, IN; Seth Gillespie and his fiancée Mary Thoen of Divide, CO; and Gabriel Gillespie of West Lafayette, IN. She also leaves behind great-grandchildren Maddie Bolt, Foster McPherson, Gordon McPherson, Greer Wall, Alden Wall, and Simon Schroeder.

The family expresses their gratitude for the loving care provided by Twin Lakes Piedmont Neighborhood at Coble Creek Healthcare facility and the brief but excellent care offered by Hospice, Twin Lakes team in Arlie's last days. Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 508 West Davis Street, Burlington, NC.

The family will gather for a Celebration of Life ceremony this summer in Burlington, NC.