“Nana,” 65, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 5, 2024, surrounded by her family and friends. Elizabeth “Elaine” Gillespie was born September 14, 1958, in Birmingham, AL to Price Nelson and Mary Elizabeth Woodham Harper. Elaine graduated from Tupelo High School in May of 1976. She went on to earn her LPN degree, followed by RN and then finally her BSN. In 2013, Elaine retired from North Mississippi Medical Center as the Director of Employee Health.
Elaine was much more than just her career though. She loved! Loved her family. Loved her friends. Loved hummingbirds. Loved her church (Sherman Church of Christ). But most importantly she loved God. John 13:15 says, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another,” and Elaine loved big! She had a way of meeting someone and instantly making them feel like they were now part of her family and loved.
On October 16, 1982, Elaine married the love of her life, Jeff Gillespie. Together they had their son, Whitt. He was their pride and joy until Harper, their first grandchild, upstaged him. Elaine’s name then turned into “Nana” and she never looked back. You’ll never find three more loved grandchildren than Harper, Effie Elaine, and Charlsie Mae
Elaine could take any situation and make it fun. Whether standing front row at a concert or shopping for groceries, if you were with Elaine, you were going to have fun and going to have a story to tell later. She will be greatly missed.
Elaine is survived by her husband, Jeff Gillespie; her son and favorite daughter-in-law Whitt and Terri Gillespie; three “precious” grandchildren, Harper Ann, Effie Elaine and Charlsie Mae Gillespie; her sister and brother-in-law, Karen and Ricky Metcalfe. She is also survived by her four sisters-in-law Patricia Holcomb, Margaret Anderson (Frank), Nancy Brazeal (Mitch), and Karen Capps (Chuck). Elaine is also survived by a host of nieces and nephews as well as her special friend Debbie Huffman, and her caregivers Cecily McLarty, Carolyn West, Keisha Rouse, McGail Pannell, Amy Shankle, Valerie Pettit, and Kathy Riddle.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Price Nelson and Mary Elizabeth Woodham Harper; her in-laws, Ralph and Doris Gillespie; and her brother-in-law, Tim Holcomb.
A service celebrating her life will be held at 3 PM on Wednesday, August 7, 2024, at the Sherman Church of Christ in Sherman, Mississippi. Elaine’s brother-in-law, Dr. Chuck Capps, will officiate, assisted by her current minister, Minister Clay Foster, as well as her long time minister, Joe Connell. Elaine will be laid to rest in Sherman Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1 PM to service time at the church. Holland Funeral Directors is honored to serve their friends.
Pallbearers will be Clay Collier, Magers Anderson, Phillip Douglas, Allen Pettit, Jake Metcalfe, Shane Stafford, and Jake Holcomb.
Memorials may be made to the Sherman Church of Christ, P.O. Box 157, Sherman, MS 38869, or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Way, Memphis, TN 38105.
