Velma A Gillispie (Adkins)

It is with great sadness the family of Velma Gillispie, 92, announce her passing on March 6, 2024, after a long illness. Velma was born August 13, 1931, in Huntington, WV the daughter of Thomas Ricketts and Gertrude Adkins. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Carl Andrew Gillispie; son, Timothy Ray Gillispie; sisters, Belva Sloan and Charlotte Woodall; and grandson, Robert Andrew Nichols. 

She is survived by her sisters, Roberta (Donald) Hall of Barboursville, WV and Barbara Lynn Adkins of Huntington, WV; daughters, Alma Jean (Robert G.) Nichols of Clarksville, TN and Carla Sue (Zahir) Kamruddin of DeQueen, AR; grandchildren: Kimberly Ellen (Brett) French, Robert Jeremy (Jenny) Nichols, Steven Hiram (Misty) White, Rehana Brooke (Ryan) Jones, Kara Sue (Scott) Cooper, and Zara Jean (fiancé Jeff Gross) Kamruddin; and four great grandchildren: Ella White, Londyn Jones, Ainsley Nichols, and Tanner Jones.

Velma grew up in WV and graduated from Huntington East High School, class of 1949. After marriage she and her husband moved to Michigan but returned to WV to raise their family. She moved with her husband to Russellville and then DeQueen, Arkansas. She was the owner of two video rental stores before retirement. She came to stay with her daughter and son in law in Clarksville, TN when she was diagnosed with cancer. Velma loved reading, cooking for
her family, and listening to storytelling.

No services are planned. The family will gather to spread her remains in West Virginia and Arkansas.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN.

Please visit Velma's tribute wall and share a memory with the family.