Arnold Gillespie

Arnold (Tad) Porter Gillespie Jr. passed away on Thursday March 30, 2017, at Peachtree Christian Hospice, after fighting a courageous battle with cancer. Born on March 25, 1938 in Madisonville, TN, he was the eldest of three children born to Arnold Benjamin Gillespie and Geneva Gillespie. At a young age his family moved to Athens, TN where he lived until his family relocated to Grand Rapids, MI. He attended Grand Rapids Central High School. After graduating High School, Arnold proudly served his Country as a Corporal in the United States Marine Corps. During his service, he was stationed in Okinawa Japan. He had fond memories of Japan, often telling stories about climbing to the top of Mount Fuji.

Following his honorable discharge from the Marines, he moved to Milwaukee and took a job at American Motors. After completing a sales training program, he began a career in sales and worked for Allstate Insurance and Dow Chemical Company. Arnold never met a stranger and had a wonderful sense of humor. He enjoyed interior design, gardening, traveling and spending time with family and friends. Upon retirement, Arnold and his wife Bette moved to Atlanta GA to enjoy a warmer climate. Arnold accepted Christ as his Savior and was recently baptized.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Arnold Benjamin and Geneva Gillespie, his sister Lavena Gentry and brother Connie Mack Gillespie.

Arnold leaves to cherish his memory Bette Gillespie devoted wife of 52 years; daughters Atty. Dawn Elizabeth Gillespie Smith (Larry) Atlanta, GA, Dr. Dana Ellen Gillespie Webb (Stephen) Phoenix AZ, three grandchildren: Imani Matos, William Webb and Nia Webb, step grandson, Xavier Smith, sister in law Deborah Gillespie, nieces, Andree Lee, Tedi Gentry, Sharita Gillespie, Lakesha Gillespie, special cousins, Sherman Dwight (Eva) Gillespie, Richard Jobe, Constance Brown (Tony), Rebecca Porter, Ethel (Walter) King, and a host of relatives, cousins, and friends.

Services of loving memory will be held Friday, April 7, 2017 at 4:00 p.m. in the chapel of M.D. Dotson & Sons Funeral Home in Athens, TN with minister Walter King officiating. Visitation by friends will begin one hour before the service.