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Obituary For Mr. Douglas Gillespie, Sr.
Mr. Douglas Gillespie, Sr., 82, entered peacefully into eternal rest on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at his residence. He was born on March 6, 1943, in Rowland, NC, to the late Henry Gillespie and Pearlie Douglas Gillespie. He was one of fourteen children born to this union.
Doug attended Southside High School in Rowland, NC. There he was a prominent player of the Men’s Varsity Basketball team.
On May 14, 1961, Douglas married Margaret “Sis” Elizabeth McLean, the love of his life, beginning a union that lasted 64 years. That same year, Doug moved his family to Washington, DC, eventually settling in High Point, NC, where they made this their final home.
Arriving in High Point, he started his working career at W.A. Milling Company. He was the Senior Truck Delivery Specialist. Continuing his employment career, Doug was the head custodian at High Point Central High School. He earned the nickname, “Mr. G” because of his dedication and loyalty to the students. “Mr. G” was responsible for the upkeep of A. J. Simon Stadium on Friday nights. He retired from Guilford County Schools in 2013.
Prior to leaving Rowland, NC, Doug was an active member of Salem Methodist Church. Upon relocating to High Point, NC, he became a dedicated member of Williams Memorial CME Church. A member of Williams Memorial Church, where he served faithfully for over 50 years. Doug began his custodian work alongside J. B. Baldwin and was later appointed by Pastor Robert J. Williams to serve as a Steward under the leadership of Brother Love. Recognized for his unwavering commitment and selfless service, Doug was elected chairman of the Steward Board by his peers and led with distinction for sixteen years. His passion, consistency, devotion, and loyalty to this ministry were evident as he served the Lord wholeheartedly until the end.
He loved spending time with his family and was instrumental in hosting family gathering/cookouts, reunions and ultimately climaxing with Thanksgivings Dinners where it was over one hundred family members in attendance at High Point Central. Doug was also a devoted fan of the Washington Redskins and a UNC-Chapel Tarheel basketball fan.
Douglas was preceded in death by his parents, his sibling, Minnie, James Henry, Herman, Clyde, Charles, John Gillespie, Ernestine Baker, Helen Currie, and grandson Steveland Gillespie.
Those left to cherish his memories are his wife, Margaret Gillespie; a son Douglas, Jr. (Fay) Gillespie of High Point, NC; his daughters, Belinda (Sylvester) Alexander of Columbus, GA, Anita Jones, Marva Hairston of High Point, JoAnn (Robert) Ingram of Greensboro, NC; his brothers, Gilbert (Tammy) Gillespie, and Clinton (Annie) Gillespie all of Greensboro, NC; sisters-in-law, Mary Gillespie, Wanda Gillespie, Elanor McLean, Sarah (Willie) Evans; grandchildren, Yolanda, Jocelyn, Josh, Nolan, Jonathan, Yolanda, Willie, Ralph, Darius, Jasmine, Pierre, Joseph; ten great-grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
Funeral service will be held Friday, December 12, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. at Williams Memorial CME Church. Interment will follow at Carolina Biblical Gardens. The family will receive friends at the chapel from 11:30 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. Mr. Gillespie may be viewed from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Phillips Funeral Service, Inc.
Final arrangements are entrusted to Phillips Funeral Service, Inc.
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Condolences & Tributes
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Praying for the Gillespie Family From the Witherspoon Family 💔🌹🎧 And Also the Class of 1989 High Point Central Black 🦬
My heart is truly heavy hearing about the passing of Mr. G. He wasn't just a coworker—he was someone who quietly held so much of our school together with his kindness, his steady spirit, and the genuine care he had for everyone at High Point Central. He made people feel seen. He made hard days lighter. And the way he showed up for students and staff was something rare and special.
Losing him feels deeply personal because he meant so much to so many of us. I hope his family can find comfort in knowing the lasting impact he had at High Point Central and how loved and respected he was by the entire school community. Please know that I'm holding you all in my thoughts during this difficult time, and I'm grateful for every moment I had with him.
Mr. G will always be remembered with love.
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One life lives on in many memories.As you remember your Father may you find comfort in the good times you shared and in the memories that live on.
With Our Sympathy, We are both deeply saddened by your loss, and we want you to know that our thoughts will be with you during the days and weeks ahead.
Sending my Condolences to the Family I am so sorry for y'all loss I did not know him but I use to work with his daughter JoAnn Ingram she is a very lovely Lady and I know she loved her father very much I will keep her and her family in my prayers God Bless 🙏🙏 Virginia Sturdivant
Mr Gillespie was always very kind and dedicated to "his" school family! A great man!
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To the entire Gillespie we the Baker family send our deepest sympathies to you at time such as this. Tim, Debra, Ra'shaun Baker
Anita I'm sorry to hear about the passing of your Father.Praying God will continue to comfort you and your family
Praying for the family during this difficult time
So sorry for your loss. I am glad to have known him. I loved working with him and was blessed to have him in my life. He was so kind to everyone and always willing to help with any task. HPC was a better place because of his smiling face and love he gave to all.
Sorry for your loss prayers for the family Douglas were my neighbor for a long time a good neighbor he will be missed
My heart is with you during this time of loss. I pray that God's love wraps around you and gives you all strength, peace, and comfort. May he lift your spirit, ease your sorrow, and remind you that Doug now rests safely in His eternal care. I am holding you all in prayer and surrounding you with love.
With heartfelt sympathy and God's grace, Evelyn Smitherman
Please accept our deepest condolences on the passing of Mr. Douglas (Doug) Gillespie. Words can never fully ease the pain of losing someone so cherished, but we pray you find comfort in the love he shared, the legacy he leaves, and the strength of the family he dearly loved. During this difficult time, may God's peace surround you, may His presence steady your hearts, and may the memories of Doug bring you moments of warmth and light. Please know that you are in our prayers, and that you are not alone, Bernadette and I stand with you in support, care, and love.
With Heartfelt Sympathy Oree and Bernadette White (Evans, Georgia)
RIP Douglas AkaDoug our hearts are heavy 💔 This was a hard one just talked to Doug Thursday Doug was such a good person Always had kind words for everyone he always asked me about my son that's just who Doug was uwill truly be missed To the Family my condolences 🙏 goes out to you praying for peace and strength Dorothy Buchannon and Family Ray Harris and LaWanda Jackson
To The Gillespie Family, we grew up together as Family and I will cherish all the memories of Mr Doug. May God comfort you during this difficult time. Love Peewee
So Sorry For Your Loss My The Lord Be With You The McLeod Family
Love and Gods Peace to this beautiful family. From my first mtg with Mr. Douglas he was my friend. He was that person that shared his love and friendship with everybody. I will miss seeing him opening the church for us.
OUR CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY OF MR. DOUGLAS GILLESPIE WHAT A NICE MAN AND FRIEND, WE WILL MISS YOU DOUG GONE BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN JUDY & JOEY HAYES AND CHARLES WARREN
Doug and family,our thoughts and prayers are with you now and days to come. William and Verna Strickland
Sorry for your loss Ms Marva,Anita and Family!Love Antuan and Rosa Lovely
Our staff will continue to keep your family in our prayers. We thank you for allowing us to serve your family.
