Obituaries

Patricia Sue “Patty” Gillespie reached her long-desired home in the early morning hours of August 6, 2026. Born on January 13, 1935, in Webster Springs, WV, Patty was the youngest child and only daughter of William Marston Gillespie and Rosalie Geneva Frazee Gillespie. She graduated from Webster Springs High School and retired from United Hospital Center, though she was a homemaker at heart.

Patty planned to attend flight attendant (“stewardess” in her day) school, but instead, elected to marry the love of her young life, Jennings Dale Hamrick. Together, Patty and Jennings had “six kids in seven years”: Connie Sue (Sherman Goodwin), Ronald Dale “Pete” (Vicki), Cynthia Ann, Karen “Diane” (Jeff Alastanos), Jennings Daniel “Danny” (Lori), and Peggy Louise (Marcus Williams). Patty and Jennings committed their lives to ministry with the greatest harvest of their planting being the salvation of their own children. Forever, we will hold dear memories of singing hymns in the evening hours while working together in our backyard garden.

When Patty was 34 years old, Jennings was tragically killed in a work-related accident. With five children ranging from 13 to 6 years of age, Patty had little time for grieving. One of her first big challenges was obtaining her driver’s license. While she faced her fear and became a licensed driver, we will forever laugh while remembering our first trip to our grandparents’ home with mom as driver. We were not allowed to speak or move (breathing was allowed out of necessity) on what should have only been a two-hour trip that stretched much longer.

On May 30, 1991, Patty married the wonderful Larry R. Gillespie and gained another daughter, Pamela Ann (Tommy Swiger). Patty and Larry created a wonderful life together in their Nutter Fort home. She loved their home and found contentment within its walls. We are so thankful God allowed her to take her last breath there before taking her first breath in the place that He had prepared for her.

We were blessed with a wonderful mother and are incredibly grateful for every moment with her. We especially thank God for these most recent months during which we shared so many laughs, tears, and unfiltered thoughts. In His loving grace, God gave us just what we needed to “loosen our grip” and simply walk her home. Her 6 children and their families, including 15 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren look forward to the day she welcomes us all to our new home in the presence of the One she encouraged us to love.

In addition to her first husband, parents, and stillborn daughter, Cynthia (whom Patty looked forward to seeing for the very first time in heaven), Patty was preceded in death by her brothers, William “Bill” and George and her beloved grandson, Dean Madison Stire. We have no doubt that each of these were among those who greeted her when she reached her long-awaited home.

Family and friends may call at the Amos Carvelli Funeral Home, 201 Edison Street, Nutter Fort on Tuesday, August 11, 2026 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. The service will be held at the conclusion of the visitation at 1:00 pm. Interment will follow at Floral Hills Memorial Gardens. Expressions of sympathy may be extended to the family at www.amoscarvelli.com. A service of Amos Carvelli Funeral Home.