Oshian Gillespie Jr

Oshian Gillespie, Jr., was born December 2, 1950, in LaGrange, Arkansas, the fifth child of Oshian (Sr.) and Rosie Lee (Hoskins) Gillespie. 

Oshian Jr., affectionately called “Junior”, received Jesus Christ as his personal Savior around 12 years of age at a revival being held at the Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church in Oak Forrest, Arkansas, under the leadership of the late Rev. E.R. Gaines.  He later united with Greater Paradise Baptist Church in Little Rock under the pastorate of the Rev. Jerry Black and was an active member for 40 plus years until illness befell him in November 2022. He served faithfully as an usher, member of the men’s ministry, member of the deacon ministry, and as armor bearer to the current pastor Rev Kendall Summons of the renamed Greater Paradise Covenant Church.

He attended Mt. Moriah School during his early elementary school years until the school was consolidated with the Marianna School District in Marianna, Arkansas, where he continued through his graduation from Anna P. Strong High School in 1969. Following his high school graduation, he journeyed to Chicago, Illinois, for a few months but returned to Arkansas, got married, and moved to Little Rock. He later enrolled in Arkansas Baptist College and earned hours in business administration.

Jr. began his working life at Arkla Gas Company in 1970 and retired some 30 years later from then CenterPoint Energy. He served as co-owner and Funeral Director of Gillespie Brothers Funeral Home. The late Rev. Dr. O.B. Gillespie began training his nephews in the funeral business years prior to his own retirement in order that they would be trained to serve as co-owners at his demise.

Monday, June 5, 2023, God granted Oshian Jr. sweet rest. His parents, Oshian Sr. and Rosie Gillespie and two brothers, Lee and Napoleon Gillespie preceded him in death. 

Left to cherish his memory, are his wife of 36 years, Shirley J. Gillespie; children, Andre “Ray” Gillespie (Phelica), Teresa Michelle Gillespie (Tyrun Price) both of Little Rock; four beautiful grandchildren, JoNathan Collins of Richmond, Virginia, Eboni Maize of Nashville, Tennessee, Gabrielle Gillespie of Memphis, Tennessee, and Laila Gillespie of Houston, Texas; bonus children, Tracy Jeffries (Lancell Harris), and Deric Jeffries (Kimberly), Forney, Texas; twelve siblings, Rosetta Gillespie of Chicago, Alice S. Dedmon, Irene J. Gillespie, Evelyn G. Allen (William), Claborne Gillespie (Zenobia), Ira J. Gillespie, Winnie K. Gillespie, and Quester Gillespie Quarles (Charlie)  all of Little Rock, Julia Bell Gillespie of Houston, Texas, Minnie E. Gillespie of Springfield, Illinois, Natta L. Gill of Marianna, and Ollie G. Gillespie of Omaha, Nebraska; bonus grandchildren, Tosha, Latalia, and TyMiyah Jeffries all of Little Rock, Andrew Jeffries, Lydia Sword (James), Gabrielle and Deric Jeffries all of Forney, Texas; two great grandchildren; Cruz Clary, Keyvia Mason; 22 nieces and nephews; 42 great nieces and nephews and 12 great-great nieces and nephews.

Oshian will always be lovingly remembered for his love of family, friends, and his service in the funeral industry.

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