Mrs. Soledad R. Gillespie, known by all as “Chole”, age 98, of McMinnville, TN died on July 15, 2020 at her residence. She was born on November 5, 1921 in Coleman, Texas to the late Juan and Eulalia Millan Rodriguez. She was a teacher, an artist and a founding member of St. Catherine’s Catholic Church. In addition to her parents, Chole was preceded in death by her husband David Daniel Gillespie, sons James Ray Gillespie, Sr., David Daniel Gillespie, Jr., Dean Ivan Gillespie, and daughter Virginia Carlin. She was also preceded in death by grandson Dean Ivan Gillespie, Jr. and great grandson Jackson Dunlap. Chole was the last surviving and youngest of nine sisters and one brother.
Chole is survived by her children Wallace (and Penny) Gillespie, Betty (and Bubba) Ray, David D. (and Jane) Gillespie, Linda (and David) Dunlap, Charles D. (and Susan) Gillespie, and Nolberto Gillespie (and Karen Yuskaitis), and as well as 34 grandchildren, 36 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation for the sympathy, comforting words, prayers and all expressions of kindness and concern. The family would also like to extend their heartfelt thanks to At Home Healthcare, SunCrest Home Health and Avalon Hospice. Chole will be cremated and there will be a private family gathering. May God continue to bless all.
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorial donations to the Jackson Dunlap Memorial Scholarship https://www.fnbmt.com/ (First National Bank), and the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund https://www.maldef.org/.
A Spanish speaking native of Coleman, Texas, Chole and her family came to McMinnville in the early 1950’s. Here she became very interested in following her love of art. She received her first art instruction from an Erie, Pennsylvania art school. Since then she has studied under several instructors and attended art classes at Villareal Art School in San Antonio, Texas and TTU in Cookeville, TN. There, her most influential art mentor was Trella Koczwara.
Chole has taught art to many adults and children in McMinnville, Sparta, and Cookeville. She was the art instructor for the Seniors at the Gregory House for years and found it very rewarding. For many years, she taught Spanish at Motlow Community College and to numerous residents in McMinnville. She has been a member of the Art Association and served as treasurer. She belonged to the Cumberland Art Society in Cookeville. She was a co-founder of Gallery Four Art Club, a group of well-known artists in McMinnville. She set up many of the first art exhibits that were held at the local banks and was the first artist to exhibit at the Civic Center.
Chole was commissioned by Mr. Walling of the former City Bank and Trust to reproduce a mural based on a historical painting of McMinnville. An additional cultural milestone was the inclusion of her painting, The Last Spring exhibited at the 33rd Tennessee All-State Art Show at The Parthenon in Nashville. She was one of thirty artists in Tennessee chosen to exhibit at The Parthenon. She always showed a special flair and creativity in her art works.
Online condolences may be made at www.mcminnvillefuneralhome.com
