Margaret Jo Gillespie Whitfield, 95, of Gardendale, Alabama, passed away on August 23, 2026.
Funeral services will be held at Moss Funeral Home in Cullman on Saturday, August 29. Visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m., with the funeral service at 12:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Cullman City Cemetery. The service will be officiated by Reverend Mac Buttram.
Margaret was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Charles D. Whitfield; her parents, Clark McKinley Gillespie LaBelle and Lois Gillespie; her brothers, Stanley Edmond Gillespie and Clark McKinley Gillespie Jr.; and her son-in-law, Norman Eiland.
She is survived by her children:
• Sandra Whitfield Eiland
• Charles D. Whitfield Jr. (Chuck) and Denise
• Carol Whitfield Harding and Randy
She is also survived by her grandchildren:
• Staci Eiland Smelley and Michael
• Jeffrey Frank Eiland and Tammy
• Beth Harding Reeves and Jay
• Whitney Harding Pilgreen and Kevin
• Brad Whitfield
Margaret was blessed with nine great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren.
Margaret attended Jefferson State Junior College and Wallace State Community College. She served as Executive Director of the Tarrant Housing Authority for 26 years. During her tenure, she served as President of the Alabama Association of Housing and Redevelopment Authorities and also served on the Board of Southeastern Redevelopment Authorities.
Margaret and Charles were longtime members of Boyles Methodist Church, where Margaret taught Sunday School, led Bible studies, and enjoyed being a member of the Sally Balch Circle. They cherished their many friendships at church and were members of the Rainy Night Supper Club, which began when they were young couples at the church and continued for 50 years.
Margaret was devoted to her children and their activities. She served as both a Cub Scout leader and a Girl Scout leader and was always willing to volunteer for anything her children were involved in at school.
After retirement, Margaret and Charles moved to Smith Lake and joined Saint Andrew’s Methodist Church, where Margaret continued teaching Sunday School. She also became involved with the Friends of the Lake.
Following Charles’s death in 2007, Margaret continued living at Smith Lake until she was 86. She then moved to Gardendale to be closer to her children. There, she joined Gracepoint Methodist Church and remained active in her Bible study group and Sunday School.
Margaret will be remembered for her devotion to her family, her faith, her many friendships, and her willingness to serve others. She leaves behind a loving family who will cherish her memory.
Pallbearers:
Michael Smelley, Jeff Eiland, Jay Reeves, Kevin Pilgreen, Brad Whitfield, and Clay Smelley.
To leave condolences for the family, please visit Mossservicefh.com. Moss Service Funeral is Directing.
