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Gaylen Gillespie Allen

gaylen allen

February 18, 1957 ~ September 23, 2020

Born in: Asheville, North Carolina
Resided in: Leicester, NC

Gaylen Marie Gillespie Allen, 63, passed away Wednesday, September 23, 2020, at her home.

Gaylen was born February 18, 1957, in Asheville to the late Reva Hawkins Gillespie and the Rev. Bill Gillespie. She was retired from the Buncombe County Tax Department and she was a faithful servant and member of Turkey Creek Baptist Church.

She is survived by her brothers, Charles Gillespie and his wife Brenda, Harold Gillespie and his wife Jackie, and Jonathan Gillespie; niece, Jordan McAninch; nephews, Justin Gillespie, Brian Gillespie and Casey McAninch; great-niece, Emory Gillespie and great-nephews, Caleb Gillespie and Cole Gillespie.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday at Turkey Creek Baptist Church with burial to follow in the church cemetery. The Revs. Mark Caldwell, Ricky Townsend and Gordon Ball will officiate.

Following the committal service Sunday afternoon, the family will be available at the church to speak with friends.

Friends may pay their respects from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Saturday at Groce Funeral Home on Patton Avenue. Although the family will not be present during those hours, a slide show will be presented continuously, Gaylen will lie in repose and there will a receptacle where friends may leave notes and memories for the family as well as sign a register.

Due to COVID-19, face masks and social distancing will be required both at the funeral home and in the church building.

Flowers will be accepted or you are encouraged to make donations to the Turkey Creek Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 2206 Bear Creek Road, Leicester, NC 28748.

Services

Funeral Service: September 27, 2020 2:00 pm

Turkey Creek Baptist Church
Bear Creek Road
Leicester, NC 28748

828-252-3535

For those who wish to pay their respects: September 26, 2020 4:00 pm - July 15, 2025 8:00 pm

Groce Funeral Home - Patton Ave.
1401 Patton Ave.
Asheville, NC 28806

(828)252-3535
http://www.grocefuneralhome.com

Funeral Home Assisting The Family:

Groce Funeral Home - Patton Ave.
1401 Patton Ave.
Asheville, NC 28806

(828)252-3535
http://www.grocefuneralhome.com

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Memories Timeline

Guestbook

  1. Charles, Harold, and Jonathan
    I am so sad about Gaylen’s passing. She has been such a precious, beautiful person her whole life, and I loved her, as well as you three boys, so very much. I know Bill and Reva are rejoicing to have her home with them. God Bless You All – I know you loved her dearly. COVID may have prevented us from going out to eat one last time, but we will be together again.

  2. My heart is breaking for the Gillespie family, I have met alot of people in my life Gaylen was one of the most special, I just loved her she was the sweetest caring person I had ever met… I will miss doing her hair and talking to her.
    One thing I know is she is out of pain, she fought the longest battle she gave it every thing she had, please accept my condolences at this very sad time….

  3. Harold, Jackie and family- very sorry for your loss. thinking of your family in our prayers.

    Tim & Sheila Jarvis

  4. Charles, Harold, Jonathan and family,

    We are so sorry to hear of Gaylen’s passing. I have so many fun and wonderful memories of her from when I visited. She will be missed dearly.

    Sending love to you all,
    Chrystal, Chris, Ava, Emily and Owen Starke

  5. So sorry to hear of the passing of a very sweet lady. Known her for a long time especially her playing the piano for her Dad at a lot of services we attended . May “The God of ALL Comfort” be close to each one of you now and in the days to come. Our thoughts and prayers and love to all of you.
    Jimmie and Shirley Fender

  6. Always appreciated Gaylen’s bright smile! May our Lord Jesus, the greatest Comforter, provide every need to Gaylen’s loved ones during this sad time.

  7. To each of the wonderful family members of a sweet sweet woman we want to say that we are thinking of you an praying for you during this time. Now at peace an no more sickness we know she is able to make heaven shine a little brighter with her beautiful smile. May each of hold your memories close at heart. Much love Ricky an Anne Freeman

  8. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends.
    Shannon, Lora, and Andrew Morgan
    Adrian and Pressley Edwards

  9. Charles, Harold, Jonathan and families, Larry and I were so very sorry to hear about Gaylen. She always had a smile on her face. Such a sweet person! We have always considered your family very dear friends. She will be truly missed here on earth but Heaven has gained another Angel.! Our love and prayers are with each of you.

  10. We are so sorry to hear of the loss of such a precious soul. May our lord bring his comforter swiftly to the Gillespie family.

  11. Gaylen introduced me to carrot cake and red velvet cake – I had never tasted them before working with her. She always had a smile. I will be praying for the family who will miss her.

  12. Gaylen was a sweet lady and amazing cook! I know she will be missed by so many. Kenny and I send our love and prayers.

  13. Gaylen’s life was proof of her strength and anyone who was associated with her benefited from her values.
    She will be remembered and missed by so many.

  14. What a wonderful woman she was – so thankful to have been able to work with her and experience her genuineness and to witness her faith and her heart. Prayers for the family!

  15. Almighty God, Father of all mercies and giver of all comfort; deal graciously, we pray thee, with all those who mourn, that, casting every care on thee, they may know the consolation of thy love; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

  16. I just wanted to say that it was a pleasure and a delight working with Gaylen. she will surely be missed. sending prayers to the family

  17. Words can’t describe or say what all this amazing lady meant to us and so many she was definitely a Godly lady and lead by example she was an amazing lady indeed truly a joy to know and couldn’t have ask for a better neighbor she will truly be missed. I pray for the entire family . Priscilla , Jason , Tanner Hendrix

  18. So very sorry to hear that Gaylen has past away, but we all know that she is certainly in a better place now and would not want to be here like she was. I know this has been a very hard time for this wonderful family and I also know that you were all there for her and the God she served will be there for all of you. We have the consolation that he gives us which surpasses all of our understanding. Prayers & Love to all of you!!

  19. Our hope is that your loving memories of Gaylen can comfort you during this sorrowful time. We were deeply saddened to hear of her passing. Please accept our deepest sympathy.

  20. Dear Gaylen’s family,
    Our deepest sympathy to all of you. We were so sorry to hear about Gaylen’s passing. Cherish your memories. Know that she is now at peace and with no more pain and discomfort. She is having a wonderful homecoming with family and friends waiting for her in Heaven. Again our condolences to all of you.
    Earl, Shirley, & Marty Clark
    Ricky, Missie & Colin Clark
    Debbie Parham

  21. To Gaylen’s Family: My deepest condolences on your loss. It was a pleasure to know and work with her. May she be at peace.

  22. It was a blessing to know Gaylen. She seemed to always be busy helping others and serving. Praying for the entire Gillespie family, that God will comfort your hearts during this time!

  23. We are so sorry to hear about the passing of Gaylen. Gaylen was a very sweet lady and it was a blessing to know her. We send sympathy, prayers and hugs to all the Gillespie family. May God comfort you with his peace.

  24. Charles, Harold and Jonathan, I am so sorry about the death of your precious sister Gaylan. She was a beautiful lady. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. Love and prayers, David and Shelia Warren

  25. Charles and family; So sorry to hear of your loss of precious miss Gaylen, She is taking in the beauty of her new surroundings and walking on streets of gold. God bless each of you during this difficult time.

  26. My deepest sympathy to all the family. Gaylen was a fine person who always had a kind word for everyone. She will be missed by all who knew her.

  27. So sorry for you loss of such a sweet lady. Gaylen was a wonderful neighbor and friend. She is going to be truly missed but knowing she is with our Savior walking those beautiful streets of gold is a comfort. We will be keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

  28. Dear Gillespie family,
    We are so sorry for your loss. Gaylen was a good friend and a wonderful person. She is missed. With Love Charles and Katonya

  29. So sorry for your loss. She was a precious person and always had a smile. May God comfort you during this time. Your family is in our prayers.
    Danny and Penny

  30. To all Gaylen’s family I am so sorry for your loss. I went to St. Genevieve of the Pines School for Secretaries with her where she graduated top of our class! She was a kind, hard working and fun person and I know she will be missed by many. With kindest regards, Janet Carter Pamfilis

  31. To the entire Gillespie family, please know how sorry I am for your loss here on earth of your beautiful Gaylen. What time I knew her she was a lovely Christian lady! I know in my heart she’s well and whole and enjoying fellowship with our Lord Jesus in heaven. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.


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