ROSA EVELYN GILLESPIE, stepped over into Heaven and was welcomed by a choir of angels singing songs of glory on September 24, 2008. She was born in the small town of Stamps, Arkansas on January 10, 1919. Rose graduated from Tech High School and received a Master's Degree in English and Psychology from Memphis State University. Rose worked at the Fisher Aircraft Factory building B-52 bombers and taught music for 35 years at Fairview Jr. High and then East High. She was an athlete playing golf and tennis and was a pitcher for Humko professional softball team. She studied organ with Thomas Webber and Adolph Steuterman. She played for her first church service at First Baptist Church in 1949 followed by stints at Beth Sholom Synagogue and Temple Baptist Church. She also served as minister of music at McLemore Christian and spent the last 35 years at Central Christian Church. She is survived by a number of nieces and nephews and her surrogate family, Peter, Bill and Anne Russell and their children and grandchildren. Her very special surrogate grandchild was Amy Russell Lindeman who looked after her. The funeral will be held on Saturday, September 27 at 11 a.m. at Central Christian, visitation at 10 a.m. She was a great lover of animals. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Memphis and Shelby County Humane Society.
Visitation: 10 a.m. Saturday, September 27, 2008 at Central Christian Church, Memphis.
Funeral services: 11 a.m. Saturday, September 27, 2008, at Central Christian Church, Memphis.
By Nevin Batiwalla, Memphis Commercial Appeal
Saturday, September 27, 2008
From the age of 20, Rosa "Rose" Gillespie, the grande dame of local organists, dedicated her life to teaching music.
In churches and schools, she had a way of inspiring her pupils.
"She had an almost magical gift to bring out in people what they did not think they could do," said Amy Lindeman, 38, who called Ms. Gillespie her "surrogate grandmother."
Ms. Gillespie died Wednesday from complications of bone cancer at a Memphis nursing home. She was 89.
Born in the small town of Stamps, Ark., Ms. Gillespie was raised by a single mom during the Depression. Those tough years, where she bounced between 22 houses, helped mold her can-do spirit, Lindeman said.
"She was completely self-made, and she used that to help other people make it on their own," Lindeman said.
Ms. Gillespie received master's degrees in English and psychology from Memphis State University.
She instructed for 35 years in Memphis schools, at Fairview Junior High and then later at East High, where she taught a pretty teen named Cybill Shepherd. Despite her best efforts, she never could convince the budding celebrity to join the school's chorus.
"I knew if I could get Cybill to join then everyone else would want to join," Ms. Gillespie told The Commercial Appeal in 2006. "But she said she just couldn't because she was too busy with cheerleading."
During World War II, Ms. Gillespie rode a motorcycle to get to her job as an aircraft riveter at the Fisher Aircraft factory. Working the late shift building B-52 bombers with a hardscrabble group of women, Lindeman said, Ms. Gillespie "learned a bunch of new words she had never heard before." On Sundays, she'd finish up early, head home for a quick change, and then dash off to church to play the organ.
She also pitched for the Humko professional softball team.
In 1949, she played her first church service at First Baptist Church. She served as minister of music at McLemore Christian and spent 35 years at Central Christian Church.
She never married. Her only children were her pets and students.
"Someone told me once that when he died he wanted to come back as one of her dogs, because that was the best life he could imagine," Lindeman said.
In 2006, after 35 years as organist and choir director at Central Christian Church, the 86-year-old retired to enjoy a view from the pew.
"There comes a time when you know it's right to step aside and this is that time. I have no regrets and I've loved it all," she said.
Services will be at 11 a.m. today at Central Christian Church. Forest Hill Funeral Home has charge.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to the Memphis and Shelby County Humane Society.
From The Commercial Appeal, January 1, 2006
Central Christian Church's organist/choir director retires
By James Dowd
January 1, 2006
Back in 1936 when Rose Gillespie [Faculty, approximately 1966-1977] first started learning to play the organ, King Edward VIII was planning to abdicate the British throne in order to wed an American divorcee and across the pond Franklin Delano Roosevelt was on his way to winning his second term as president.
Much has changed since then, including Gillespie's reputation as a musician, which has grown through the years.
But now the grande dame of local organists is preparing to step away from it all. After 35 years as organist and choir director at Central Christian Church in Midtown, the 86-year-old is ready to retire. Her last regular service is today.
"I'll still be available to fill in if someone needs an organist, but I won't be working all the time anymore," said Gillespie. "There comes a time when you know it's right to step aside and this is that time. I have no regrets and I've loved it all."
Gillespie has led an extraordinarily interesting life, said longtime friend and Central choir member Sarah Jane Smith.
For example, Gillespie rode a motorcycle to get to her late-shift job as an aircraft riveter during World War II. On weekends she'd finish up early Sunday, do a quick change at home and then dash off to church to play the organ.
"There's not much she hasn't done, it's really amazing when I think of it," Smith said.
And she's met some interesting folks along the way.
Gillespie met W.C. Handy in a music store once when she went in to buy a copy of "Memphis Blues" and the composer heard her ask for the sheet music. Handy offered to buy it for her, but she settled for an autograph instead.
"I was so in awe and I told him I could buy it myself, but I certainly was happy when he agreed to sign it," Gillespie recalled. "To meet the man who wrote what I considered one of the most compelling pieces of American music was an incredible experience."
The Stamps, Ark., native graduated from the former Memphis State University and taught in her home state and in Mississippi until legendary Memphis politico and family friend E.H. 'Boss' Crump helped her land a teaching job in Memphis.
Gillespie worked at Fairview Junior High and later East High, where she counted among her students a pretty teen named Cybill Shepherd. But despite her best sales pitch, she couldn't convince the budding celebrity to join the East High School chorus.
"She was such a sweet girl and so popular and all the kids wanted to hang around her, so I knew if I could get Cybill to join then everyone else would want to join," Gillespie said. "But she said she just couldn't because she was too busy with cheerleading."
Throughout her teaching career, Gillespie worked as a musician at several congregations, including Temple Baptist and Central, as well as McLemore Christian Church where in 1959 she met a young pastor named Charles Woodall.
The two worked five years together there and later when Woodall became pastor at Central he was reunited with his former music director.
"I've always had a strong appreciation for Rose, she's been a source of strength and inspiration for generations of people," Woodall said. "When she retires from Central it'll be the end of an era."
Central's pianist Amy Lindeman will also leave her post when her mentor retires. She's stepping down to focus on her impending motherhood, but she knows things won't be the same without the one she calls her surrogate grandmother.
"She's an amazing woman and I can't even imagine church without her up there playing week after week," Lindeman said.
The church will host a reception for Gillespie today after the morning worship service and the Memphis Chapter of the American Guild of Organists will dedicate its recital at 4 p.m. on Jan. 29 at Idlewild Presbyterian Church to her.
As for Gillespie, she doesn't plan to rest on her laurels. She'll serve as substitute organist, but she's looking forward to visiting lots of different churches and enjoying music from a different perspective: The pew.
"There are so many wonderful churches here and I'm looking forward to going to them and experiencing worship on a different level," Gillespie said. "I think I'll enjoy being in the congregation and letting somebody else be in charge of the music."
1930 Census Shelby Co
In household of Joseph H Ingram
Sally Gillespie TX
Alfred L Gillespie TN
Rose Gillespie ARK
Father TN
Mother TX
1940 Census Shelby Co
Mother: Sallie K Gillespie b est 1890 TN
Brother: Harold K Gillespie b est 1908 TN
Nephew: Harold K Gillespie b est 1930 TN
Visitation: 10 a.m. Saturday, September 27, 2008 at Central Christian Church, Memphis.
Funeral services: 11 a.m. Saturday, September 27, 2008, at Central Christian Church, Memphis.
By Nevin Batiwalla, Memphis Commercial Appeal
Saturday, September 27, 2008
From the age of 20, Rosa "Rose" Gillespie, the grande dame of local organists, dedicated her life to teaching music.
In churches and schools, she had a way of inspiring her pupils.
"She had an almost magical gift to bring out in people what they did not think they could do," said Amy Lindeman, 38, who called Ms. Gillespie her "surrogate grandmother."
Ms. Gillespie died Wednesday from complications of bone cancer at a Memphis nursing home. She was 89.
Born in the small town of Stamps, Ark., Ms. Gillespie was raised by a single mom during the Depression. Those tough years, where she bounced between 22 houses, helped mold her can-do spirit, Lindeman said.
"She was completely self-made, and she used that to help other people make it on their own," Lindeman said.
Ms. Gillespie received master's degrees in English and psychology from Memphis State University.
She instructed for 35 years in Memphis schools, at Fairview Junior High and then later at East High, where she taught a pretty teen named Cybill Shepherd. Despite her best efforts, she never could convince the budding celebrity to join the school's chorus.
"I knew if I could get Cybill to join then everyone else would want to join," Ms. Gillespie told The Commercial Appeal in 2006. "But she said she just couldn't because she was too busy with cheerleading."
During World War II, Ms. Gillespie rode a motorcycle to get to her job as an aircraft riveter at the Fisher Aircraft factory. Working the late shift building B-52 bombers with a hardscrabble group of women, Lindeman said, Ms. Gillespie "learned a bunch of new words she had never heard before." On Sundays, she'd finish up early, head home for a quick change, and then dash off to church to play the organ.
She also pitched for the Humko professional softball team.
In 1949, she played her first church service at First Baptist Church. She served as minister of music at McLemore Christian and spent 35 years at Central Christian Church.
She never married. Her only children were her pets and students.
"Someone told me once that when he died he wanted to come back as one of her dogs, because that was the best life he could imagine," Lindeman said.
In 2006, after 35 years as organist and choir director at Central Christian Church, the 86-year-old retired to enjoy a view from the pew.
"There comes a time when you know it's right to step aside and this is that time. I have no regrets and I've loved it all," she said.
Services will be at 11 a.m. today at Central Christian Church. Forest Hill Funeral Home has charge.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to the Memphis and Shelby County Humane Society.
From The Commercial Appeal, January 1, 2006
Central Christian Church's organist/choir director retires
By James Dowd
January 1, 2006
Back in 1936 when Rose Gillespie [Faculty, approximately 1966-1977] first started learning to play the organ, King Edward VIII was planning to abdicate the British throne in order to wed an American divorcee and across the pond Franklin Delano Roosevelt was on his way to winning his second term as president.
Much has changed since then, including Gillespie's reputation as a musician, which has grown through the years.
But now the grande dame of local organists is preparing to step away from it all. After 35 years as organist and choir director at Central Christian Church in Midtown, the 86-year-old is ready to retire. Her last regular service is today.
"I'll still be available to fill in if someone needs an organist, but I won't be working all the time anymore," said Gillespie. "There comes a time when you know it's right to step aside and this is that time. I have no regrets and I've loved it all."
Gillespie has led an extraordinarily interesting life, said longtime friend and Central choir member Sarah Jane Smith.
For example, Gillespie rode a motorcycle to get to her late-shift job as an aircraft riveter during World War II. On weekends she'd finish up early Sunday, do a quick change at home and then dash off to church to play the organ.
"There's not much she hasn't done, it's really amazing when I think of it," Smith said.
And she's met some interesting folks along the way.
Gillespie met W.C. Handy in a music store once when she went in to buy a copy of "Memphis Blues" and the composer heard her ask for the sheet music. Handy offered to buy it for her, but she settled for an autograph instead.
"I was so in awe and I told him I could buy it myself, but I certainly was happy when he agreed to sign it," Gillespie recalled. "To meet the man who wrote what I considered one of the most compelling pieces of American music was an incredible experience."
The Stamps, Ark., native graduated from the former Memphis State University and taught in her home state and in Mississippi until legendary Memphis politico and family friend E.H. 'Boss' Crump helped her land a teaching job in Memphis.
Gillespie worked at Fairview Junior High and later East High, where she counted among her students a pretty teen named Cybill Shepherd. But despite her best sales pitch, she couldn't convince the budding celebrity to join the East High School chorus.
"She was such a sweet girl and so popular and all the kids wanted to hang around her, so I knew if I could get Cybill to join then everyone else would want to join," Gillespie said. "But she said she just couldn't because she was too busy with cheerleading."
Throughout her teaching career, Gillespie worked as a musician at several congregations, including Temple Baptist and Central, as well as McLemore Christian Church where in 1959 she met a young pastor named Charles Woodall.
The two worked five years together there and later when Woodall became pastor at Central he was reunited with his former music director.
"I've always had a strong appreciation for Rose, she's been a source of strength and inspiration for generations of people," Woodall said. "When she retires from Central it'll be the end of an era."
Central's pianist Amy Lindeman will also leave her post when her mentor retires. She's stepping down to focus on her impending motherhood, but she knows things won't be the same without the one she calls her surrogate grandmother.
"She's an amazing woman and I can't even imagine church without her up there playing week after week," Lindeman said.
The church will host a reception for Gillespie today after the morning worship service and the Memphis Chapter of the American Guild of Organists will dedicate its recital at 4 p.m. on Jan. 29 at Idlewild Presbyterian Church to her.
As for Gillespie, she doesn't plan to rest on her laurels. She'll serve as substitute organist, but she's looking forward to visiting lots of different churches and enjoying music from a different perspective: The pew.
"There are so many wonderful churches here and I'm looking forward to going to them and experiencing worship on a different level," Gillespie said. "I think I'll enjoy being in the congregation and letting somebody else be in charge of the music."
1930 Census Shelby Co
In household of Joseph H Ingram
Sally Gillespie TX
Alfred L Gillespie TN
Rose Gillespie ARK
Father TN
Mother TX
1940 Census Shelby Co
Mother: Sallie K Gillespie b est 1890 TN
Brother: Harold K Gillespie b est 1908 TN
Nephew: Harold K Gillespie b est 1930 TN
ROSA EVELYN GILLESPIE, stepped over into Heaven and was welcomed by a choir of angels singing songs of glory on September 24, 2008. She was born in the small town of Stamps, Arkansas on January 10, 1919. Rose graduated from Tech High School and received a Master's Degree in English and Psychology from Memphis State University. Rose worked at the Fisher Aircraft Factory building B-52 bombers and taught music for 35 years at Fairview Jr. High and then East High. She was an athlete playing golf and tennis and was a pitcher for Humko professional softball team. She studied organ with Thomas Webber and Adolph Steuterman. She played for her first church service at First Baptist Church in 1949 followed by stints at Beth Sholom Synagogue and Temple Baptist Church. She also served as minister of music at McLemore Christian and spent the last 35 years at Central Christian Church. She is survived by a number of nieces and nephews and her surrogate family, Peter, Bill and Anne Russell and their children and grandchildren. Her very special surrogate grandchild was Amy Russell Lindeman who looked after her. The funeral will be held on Saturday, September 27 at 11 a.m. at Central Christian, visitation at 10 a.m. She was a great lover of animals. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Memphis and Shelby County Humane Society.
Visitation: 10 a.m. Saturday, September 27, 2008 at Central Christian Church, Memphis.
Funeral services: 11 a.m. Saturday, September 27, 2008, at Central Christian Church, Memphis.
By Nevin Batiwalla, Memphis Commercial Appeal
Saturday, September 27, 2008
From the age of 20, Rosa "Rose" Gillespie, the grande dame of local organists, dedicated her life to teaching music.
In churches and schools, she had a way of inspiring her pupils.
"She had an almost magical gift to bring out in people what they did not think they could do," said Amy Lindeman, 38, who called Ms. Gillespie her "surrogate grandmother."
Ms. Gillespie died Wednesday from complications of bone cancer at a Memphis nursing home. She was 89.
Born in the small town of Stamps, Ark., Ms. Gillespie was raised by a single mom during the Depression. Those tough years, where she bounced between 22 houses, helped mold her can-do spirit, Lindeman said.
"She was completely self-made, and she used that to help other people make it on their own," Lindeman said.
Ms. Gillespie received master's degrees in English and psychology from Memphis State University.
She instructed for 35 years in Memphis schools, at Fairview Junior High and then later at East High, where she taught a pretty teen named Cybill Shepherd. Despite her best efforts, she never could convince the budding celebrity to join the school's chorus.
"I knew if I could get Cybill to join then everyone else would want to join," Ms. Gillespie told The Commercial Appeal in 2006. "But she said she just couldn't because she was too busy with cheerleading."
During World War II, Ms. Gillespie rode a motorcycle to get to her job as an aircraft riveter at the Fisher Aircraft factory. Working the late shift building B-52 bombers with a hardscrabble group of women, Lindeman said, Ms. Gillespie "learned a bunch of new words she had never heard before." On Sundays, she'd finish up early, head home for a quick change, and then dash off to church to play the organ.
She also pitched for the Humko professional softball team.
In 1949, she played her first church service at First Baptist Church. She served as minister of music at McLemore Christian and spent 35 years at Central Christian Church.
She never married. Her only children were her pets and students.
"Someone told me once that when he died he wanted to come back as one of her dogs, because that was the best life he could imagine," Lindeman said.
In 2006, after 35 years as organist and choir director at Central Christian Church, the 86-year-old retired to enjoy a view from the pew.
"There comes a time when you know it's right to step aside and this is that time. I have no regrets and I've loved it all," she said.
Services will be at 11 a.m. today at Central Christian Church. Forest Hill Funeral Home has charge.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to the Memphis and Shelby County Humane Society.
From The Commercial Appeal, January 1, 2006
Central Christian Church's organist/choir director retires
By James Dowd
January 1, 2006
Back in 1936 when Rose Gillespie [Faculty, approximately 1966-1977] first started learning to play the organ, King Edward VIII was planning to abdicate the British throne in order to wed an American divorcee and across the pond Franklin Delano Roosevelt was on his way to winning his second term as president.
Much has changed since then, including Gillespie's reputation as a musician, which has grown through the years.
But now the grande dame of local organists is preparing to step away from it all. After 35 years as organist and choir director at Central Christian Church in Midtown, the 86-year-old is ready to retire. Her last regular service is today.
"I'll still be available to fill in if someone needs an organist, but I won't be working all the time anymore," said Gillespie. "There comes a time when you know it's right to step aside and this is that time. I have no regrets and I've loved it all."
Gillespie has led an extraordinarily interesting life, said longtime friend and Central choir member Sarah Jane Smith.
For example, Gillespie rode a motorcycle to get to her late-shift job as an aircraft riveter during World War II. On weekends she'd finish up early Sunday, do a quick change at home and then dash off to church to play the organ.
"There's not much she hasn't done, it's really amazing when I think of it," Smith said.
And she's met some interesting folks along the way.
Gillespie met W.C. Handy in a music store once when she went in to buy a copy of "Memphis Blues" and the composer heard her ask for the sheet music. Handy offered to buy it for her, but she settled for an autograph instead.
"I was so in awe and I told him I could buy it myself, but I certainly was happy when he agreed to sign it," Gillespie recalled. "To meet the man who wrote what I considered one of the most compelling pieces of American music was an incredible experience."
The Stamps, Ark., native graduated from the former Memphis State University and taught in her home state and in Mississippi until legendary Memphis politico and family friend E.H. 'Boss' Crump helped her land a teaching job in Memphis.
Gillespie worked at Fairview Junior High and later East High, where she counted among her students a pretty teen named Cybill Shepherd. But despite her best sales pitch, she couldn't convince the budding celebrity to join the East High School chorus.
"She was such a sweet girl and so popular and all the kids wanted to hang around her, so I knew if I could get Cybill to join then everyone else would want to join," Gillespie said. "But she said she just couldn't because she was too busy with cheerleading."
Throughout her teaching career, Gillespie worked as a musician at several congregations, including Temple Baptist and Central, as well as McLemore Christian Church where in 1959 she met a young pastor named Charles Woodall.
The two worked five years together there and later when Woodall became pastor at Central he was reunited with his former music director.
"I've always had a strong appreciation for Rose, she's been a source of strength and inspiration for generations of people," Woodall said. "When she retires from Central it'll be the end of an era."
Central's pianist Amy Lindeman will also leave her post when her mentor retires. She's stepping down to focus on her impending motherhood, but she knows things won't be the same without the one she calls her surrogate grandmother.
"She's an amazing woman and I can't even imagine church without her up there playing week after week," Lindeman said.
The church will host a reception for Gillespie today after the morning worship service and the Memphis Chapter of the American Guild of Organists will dedicate its recital at 4 p.m. on Jan. 29 at Idlewild Presbyterian Church to her.
As for Gillespie, she doesn't plan to rest on her laurels. She'll serve as substitute organist, but she's looking forward to visiting lots of different churches and enjoying music from a different perspective: The pew.
"There are so many wonderful churches here and I'm looking forward to going to them and experiencing worship on a different level," Gillespie said. "I think I'll enjoy being in the congregation and letting somebody else be in charge of the music."
1930 Census Shelby Co
In household of Joseph H Ingram
Sally Gillespie TX
Alfred L Gillespie TN
Rose Gillespie ARK
Father TN
Mother TX
1940 Census Shelby Co
Mother: Sallie K Gillespie b est 1890 TN
Brother: Harold K Gillespie b est 1908 TN
Nephew: Harold K Gillespie b est 1930 TN
Visitation: 10 a.m. Saturday, September 27, 2008 at Central Christian Church, Memphis.
Funeral services: 11 a.m. Saturday, September 27, 2008, at Central Christian Church, Memphis.
By Nevin Batiwalla, Memphis Commercial Appeal
Saturday, September 27, 2008
From the age of 20, Rosa "Rose" Gillespie, the grande dame of local organists, dedicated her life to teaching music.
In churches and schools, she had a way of inspiring her pupils.
"She had an almost magical gift to bring out in people what they did not think they could do," said Amy Lindeman, 38, who called Ms. Gillespie her "surrogate grandmother."
Ms. Gillespie died Wednesday from complications of bone cancer at a Memphis nursing home. She was 89.
Born in the small town of Stamps, Ark., Ms. Gillespie was raised by a single mom during the Depression. Those tough years, where she bounced between 22 houses, helped mold her can-do spirit, Lindeman said.
"She was completely self-made, and she used that to help other people make it on their own," Lindeman said.
Ms. Gillespie received master's degrees in English and psychology from Memphis State University.
She instructed for 35 years in Memphis schools, at Fairview Junior High and then later at East High, where she taught a pretty teen named Cybill Shepherd. Despite her best efforts, she never could convince the budding celebrity to join the school's chorus.
"I knew if I could get Cybill to join then everyone else would want to join," Ms. Gillespie told The Commercial Appeal in 2006. "But she said she just couldn't because she was too busy with cheerleading."
During World War II, Ms. Gillespie rode a motorcycle to get to her job as an aircraft riveter at the Fisher Aircraft factory. Working the late shift building B-52 bombers with a hardscrabble group of women, Lindeman said, Ms. Gillespie "learned a bunch of new words she had never heard before." On Sundays, she'd finish up early, head home for a quick change, and then dash off to church to play the organ.
She also pitched for the Humko professional softball team.
In 1949, she played her first church service at First Baptist Church. She served as minister of music at McLemore Christian and spent 35 years at Central Christian Church.
She never married. Her only children were her pets and students.
"Someone told me once that when he died he wanted to come back as one of her dogs, because that was the best life he could imagine," Lindeman said.
In 2006, after 35 years as organist and choir director at Central Christian Church, the 86-year-old retired to enjoy a view from the pew.
"There comes a time when you know it's right to step aside and this is that time. I have no regrets and I've loved it all," she said.
Services will be at 11 a.m. today at Central Christian Church. Forest Hill Funeral Home has charge.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to the Memphis and Shelby County Humane Society.
From The Commercial Appeal, January 1, 2006
Central Christian Church's organist/choir director retires
By James Dowd
January 1, 2006
Back in 1936 when Rose Gillespie [Faculty, approximately 1966-1977] first started learning to play the organ, King Edward VIII was planning to abdicate the British throne in order to wed an American divorcee and across the pond Franklin Delano Roosevelt was on his way to winning his second term as president.
Much has changed since then, including Gillespie's reputation as a musician, which has grown through the years.
But now the grande dame of local organists is preparing to step away from it all. After 35 years as organist and choir director at Central Christian Church in Midtown, the 86-year-old is ready to retire. Her last regular service is today.
"I'll still be available to fill in if someone needs an organist, but I won't be working all the time anymore," said Gillespie. "There comes a time when you know it's right to step aside and this is that time. I have no regrets and I've loved it all."
Gillespie has led an extraordinarily interesting life, said longtime friend and Central choir member Sarah Jane Smith.
For example, Gillespie rode a motorcycle to get to her late-shift job as an aircraft riveter during World War II. On weekends she'd finish up early Sunday, do a quick change at home and then dash off to church to play the organ.
"There's not much she hasn't done, it's really amazing when I think of it," Smith said.
And she's met some interesting folks along the way.
Gillespie met W.C. Handy in a music store once when she went in to buy a copy of "Memphis Blues" and the composer heard her ask for the sheet music. Handy offered to buy it for her, but she settled for an autograph instead.
"I was so in awe and I told him I could buy it myself, but I certainly was happy when he agreed to sign it," Gillespie recalled. "To meet the man who wrote what I considered one of the most compelling pieces of American music was an incredible experience."
The Stamps, Ark., native graduated from the former Memphis State University and taught in her home state and in Mississippi until legendary Memphis politico and family friend E.H. 'Boss' Crump helped her land a teaching job in Memphis.
Gillespie worked at Fairview Junior High and later East High, where she counted among her students a pretty teen named Cybill Shepherd. But despite her best sales pitch, she couldn't convince the budding celebrity to join the East High School chorus.
"She was such a sweet girl and so popular and all the kids wanted to hang around her, so I knew if I could get Cybill to join then everyone else would want to join," Gillespie said. "But she said she just couldn't because she was too busy with cheerleading."
Throughout her teaching career, Gillespie worked as a musician at several congregations, including Temple Baptist and Central, as well as McLemore Christian Church where in 1959 she met a young pastor named Charles Woodall.
The two worked five years together there and later when Woodall became pastor at Central he was reunited with his former music director.
"I've always had a strong appreciation for Rose, she's been a source of strength and inspiration for generations of people," Woodall said. "When she retires from Central it'll be the end of an era."
Central's pianist Amy Lindeman will also leave her post when her mentor retires. She's stepping down to focus on her impending motherhood, but she knows things won't be the same without the one she calls her surrogate grandmother.
"She's an amazing woman and I can't even imagine church without her up there playing week after week," Lindeman said.
The church will host a reception for Gillespie today after the morning worship service and the Memphis Chapter of the American Guild of Organists will dedicate its recital at 4 p.m. on Jan. 29 at Idlewild Presbyterian Church to her.
As for Gillespie, she doesn't plan to rest on her laurels. She'll serve as substitute organist, but she's looking forward to visiting lots of different churches and enjoying music from a different perspective: The pew.
"There are so many wonderful churches here and I'm looking forward to going to them and experiencing worship on a different level," Gillespie said. "I think I'll enjoy being in the congregation and letting somebody else be in charge of the music."
1930 Census Shelby Co
In household of Joseph H Ingram
Sally Gillespie TX
Alfred L Gillespie TN
Rose Gillespie ARK
Father TN
Mother TX
1940 Census Shelby Co
Mother: Sallie K Gillespie b est 1890 TN
Brother: Harold K Gillespie b est 1908 TN
Nephew: Harold K Gillespie b est 1930 TN
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