Mrs. Diana Jo (Williams) Gillespie

Diana Jo Gillespie was born on September 20, 1940 in Riceboro, Georgia to Eldora B. and John Williams.  She graduated as her class Valedictorian in 1957 from the original Liberty County High School in Midway, Georgia.  She graduated from college with high honors with a Master’s Degree in Biology from Texas Southern University.

She met and married Bernard Gillespie in Houston, Texas in 1965 after she finished her studies.  She would blush with pride whenever you mentioned his name. She was so proud of her husband and their three sons and loved them unconditionally.

Diana Jo was a brilliant research scientist who worked tirelessly at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Research Center in Houston, Texas.  She was responsible for assisting in breakthrough research for birth control, cancer research, AIDS research and human skin diseases. She also contributed to research to prevent stillborn births and worked directly with the famous case of “The Boy Who Lived in a Bubble” in the 1970s.  Diana Jo was invited to be a member of Who’s Who of America.

Diana Jo was an avid reader. She has read several translations of the Bible, was active in Sunday School and sang with the Gospel Travelers of Riceboro.  She accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior and didn’t mind sharing the Good News!

She was preceded in death by her parents, Eldora and John Williams; her devoted and loving husband, Bernard Gillespie, and by her siblings, Lue Bertha Williams and Melvin Williams. 

She is survived and will be deeply mourned by her sons, Terrance Gillespie (Latricia), Ryan “Chuck” Gillespie and Donald “Chick” Gillespie. She will be forever remembered by her eight grandchildren: Tiara Gillespie, Joshua Blanton, Caleb Blanton, Noah Gillespie, Elijah Gillespie, Ryanna Gillespie, Destiny Gillespie and Donnie Gillespie.  Her great grandchildren will hear stories about her life and her love for them. She adored her great grandchildren, Jrue Blanton and Aisin Blanton.

Her siblings will cherish her memory: Sarah R. Lumpkin, John H. Williams, Cleve J. Williams, Tommy M. Williams (Lelia M.) and Abraham Williams (Veronica).   She will also be greatly missed by her in-laws:  Lovie Gillespie (Francis), Margie Phillips, Barbara Merchant, Betty Earl (Charles) and Myrtice Newhouse (Gary).

Diana Jo Gillespie will be deeply missed by a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.

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