Dorothy Lee Gillespie, daughter of the late James H. Fulkerson and Beulah Alma Robertson Fulkerson, was born on January 23, 1927, near Sikeston, Missouri, and passed away peacefully in her home in Bloomfield, Missouri, on February 12, 2024, at the age of 97.
Dorothy was a beautician for 14 years and also worked at the Missouri Driver’s License office in Bloomfield. The job she loved was at Ms. Gail’s Day Care, working there for several years and lovingly known as Ms. Dorothy. She lived in the Bloomfield Community all her life and was a dedicated member of the Bloomfield First General Baptist Church until failing health. She will forever be known for her coconut crème pies and being a great cook. Her family was the sunshine of her life, and she enjoyed nothing more than having them around her table with an abundance of food and desserts. She loved watching her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren play sports. She was an avid St. Louis Cardinal fan and loved anything Mickey Mouse. Most of all she loved Jesus.
She is survived by her husband, Dale Gillespie of Bloomfield, Missouri; by her son, Dennis (Phyllis) Gillespie of Nolensville, Tennessee; by her daughter, Angie (Bob) Barnfield of Bloomfield, Missouri; by three grandchildren, Christian (Mendy) Bell of Dexter, Missouri, Dr. Ryan (Kristen) Gillespie of Nashville, Tennessee, and Dr. Leslie (Skye) Marthaler of Chesterbrook, Pennsylvania; by six great-grandchildren, Carson Bell, Clayton Bell, Cameron Bell, Olivia Gillespie, Hazel Gillespie, and Magnus Marthaler; and by her sister, Beulah Eaton of Bloomfield, Missouri.
Other than by her parents, she was preceded in death by three sisters, Pearl Stone, Opal Williams, Alma Lewis, and three brothers, Jim Fulkerson, J.W. Fulkerson, and Glenn Fulkerson.
Memorials may be made to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105, 18 Fore Life, c/o Scott Kruse, 705 Laurie Circle, Dexter MO 63841, VNA Hospice of SEMO, PO Box 768, Kennett MO 63857, or the Alzheimer’s Association, 11433 Olde Cabin Road, Ste 100, St. Louis MO 63141.
The family could not have gone through this journey without the VNA Hospice Team. Thank you for loving and caring for our loved one.
A private family service will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Saturday, February 17, 2024. Interment will follow in the Dexter Cemetery.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
