Sam Sidney Gillespie

Clarksville, VA - Mr. Sam Sidney Gillespie, widower of Lois Culley Gillespie, died on Friday, February 26, 2016, at the age of 92. He was born on September 24, 1923, in Mecklenburg County, VA to the late Sidney N. Gillespie and Jane Ellington Gillespie.Sam graduated in 1941 from Chase City High School and joined the U.S. Army, working for 35 years as a civil service employee in the Engineering department until his retirement in June of 1979.During that time, he saw active duty in World War II. Mr. Gillespie served as Chief Patriarch of the Accontink Lodge #75 Odd Fellows and was a member of New Hope Baptist Church.Sam came to work for Watkins Cooper Lyon Funeral Home in August 1979, where he was loved and cherished by staff and the community he served. He was married to Lois Culley Gillespie for 60 years. Survivors include his sons and daughters, Richard Rash of Portsmouth, NH, Sandra Rash Deerwester of Richmond, VA, Michael Rash of Ruther Glen, VA, Silvia Carol Gillespie Brown Harvey of Yukon, OK, and Samuel Sidney Gillespie, Jr. of Fredericksburg, VA.He is also survived by 13 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, March 2, 2016 at Watkins Cooper Lyon Funeral Home, Clarksville, VA.Officiating will be the Reverends Jane Lyon and Mike Reynolds.The family will receive friends prior to the service beginning at 12:30 p.m.Interment will follow the service at New Hope Baptist Church Cemetery, Skipwith, VA. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.wclfh.com.Arrangements are by Watkins Cooper Lyon Funeral Home.