Linda Gillespie

Linda Grace Gillespie, 72 of Abilene, passed away peacefully surrounded by family and love at Hendrick Medical Center on Monday, October 26, 2015. Funeral services will be held at the First Baptist Church, 1333 N. 3rd Street, on Friday, October 30, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be at the Oak Wood Cemetery in Hamilton, Texas at 2:00 p.m. A visitation with the family will be on Thursday, October 29, 2015 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Piersall Funeral Directors, 733 Butternut Street.

Linda was born on November 14, 1942 in Meridian, Texas, to Bill and Fay Chappell. Being the daughter of a well known Western artist, Linda was very artistic. At the age of 10, Linda started playing piano at the church the family attended. She was an accomplished musician. Linda attended college at Adams State College in Alamosa, Colorado, and double majored in Music and Elementary Education. She was a soloist in the college A cappella choir, as the lead 2nd Alto.

In August of 1964, Linda married Rueben Gillespie. Both Linda and Rueben were teachers and taught students in Colorado and Texas for over 25 years. When Linda retired, she turned her attention to her art. She loved to create something from nothing. She loved to paint, draw, and make beautiful dried flower arrangements. She was very skilled in her artistic endeavors.

Linda was preceded in death by her father, Bill Chappell. She is survived by her mother Fay Chappell of Albuquerque, New Mexico; her husband of 51 years, Rueben Gillespie of Abilene; brothers Bill Chappell, Jr. and wife Sue of Albuquerque, New Mexico and Gene Chappell and wife Lynn of Austin, Texas; daughters Lisa Sprinkles and husband Jim of Little Elm, Texas and Emily Richardson and husband Mike of Spring, Texas; and 5 grandchildren, Jaime Sprinkles, Kevin Sprinkles, Cameron Richardson, Grace Richardson, and Erin Richardson.

Condolences can be offered to the family online at www.pbfuneraldirectors.com.