Willie Teseniar Walker Gillespie

Mrs. Willie Teseniar Walker Gillespie, age 96, of Old Fort, North Carolina, peacefully departed this life on the morning of Sunday, July 04, 2021 at her residence.

A lifelong resident of Old Fort, Willie was born on August 30, 1924 to the late Charles Teseniar and Ella Padgett Teseniar.

Mrs. Gillespie worked in textiles her whole life. She enjoyed tending to her flowers as well as cooking and eating. Willie liked to travel as long as she was able, but she will be remembered for her great love for reading. She was very intelligent, even until the end. Above all, Willie loved her family and just people in general. She loved to laugh, and she did so many times during her last few weeks of life. This will forever be a blessing in the lives of those she leaves behind.

She is preceded in death by two husbands, Dolph A. Walker and Frank Gillespie; four children, Stella King, Marvin Walker, Wade Walker, and Laile Ray Walker; and one great-great grandchild, Avery King.

She leaves behind two daughters, Freida Lytle (Howard) and Mary Ann Tipton (Ronald); 15 grandchildren; 29 great grandchildren; 19 great-great grandchildren; one daughter-in-law, Joan Walker; and a special friend, Anita Brooks.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, July 07, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. in the Chapel of Beam Funeral Service with Reverend Donnie Massingill and Marc Tipton officiating. Interment will follow in the Old Cherry Springs Cemetery in Old Fort. The family will receive friends from 10:00 until 11:00 a.m., one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Those serving as pallbearers will be Craig Walker, Alex Tipton, Tyler Young, Steven Lytle, Michael Walker, and Todd Walker.

The family asks that donations be given to Hospice of the Carolina Foothills, PO Box 336, Forest City, NC 28043. We wish to express special appreciation for the excellent care and respect given to our Mother and our family during this time of illness and grief.