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Linda Grace Chappell Gillespie
Obituary from Piersall-Benton Funeral Directors:
Linda Grace Gillespie, 72 of Abilene, passed away peacefully surrounded by family and love at Hendrick Medical Center on Monday, October 26, 2015. Funeral services will be held at the First Baptist Church, 1333 N. 3rd Street, on Friday, October 30, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be at the Oak Wood Cemetery in Hamilton, Texas at 2:00 p.m. A visitation with the family will be on Thursday, October 29, 2015 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Piersall Funeral Directors, 733 Butternut Street.
Linda was born on November 14, 1942 in Meridian, Texas, to Bill and Fay Chappell. Being the daughter of a well known Western artist, Linda was very artistic. At the age of 10, Linda started playing piano at the church the family attended. She was an accomplished musician. Linda attended college at Adams State College in Alamosa, Colorado, and double majored in Music and Elementary Education. She was a soloist in the college A cappella choir, as the lead 2nd Alto.
In August of 1964, Linda married Rueben Gillespie. Both Linda and Rueben were teachers and taught students in Colorado and Texas for over 25 years. When Linda retired, she turned her attention to her art. She loved to create something from nothing. She loved to paint, draw, and make beautiful dried flower arrangements. She was very skilled in her artistic endeavors.
Linda was preceded in death by her father, Bill Chappell. She is survived by her mother Fay Chappell of Albuquerque, New Mexico; her husband of 51 years, Rueben Gillespie of Abilene; brothers Bill Chappell, Jr. and wife Sue of Albuquerque, New Mexico and Gene Chappell and wife Lynn of Austin, Texas; daughters Lisa Sprinkles and husband Jim of Little Elm, Texas and Emily Richardson and husband Mike of Spring, Texas; and 5 grandchildren, Jaime Sprinkles, Kevin Sprinkles, Cameron Richardson, Grace Richardson, and Erin Richardson.
Condolences can be offered to the family online at www.pbfuneraldirectors.com
From Sherry Meers Innes:
Linda was so very glad she attended the 50th reunion for the Class of 1961. She renewed friendships and traded stories and quite simply had a ball. I was working on her to consider the 55th. I think I was gaining some ground. Linda's parents were living in Hamiliton, Texas in 1942 when she was born in Meridian November 14. Later her family moved to Seymour, Texas. That's where our history began. We attended elementary school together through the 4th grade before the Chappell family moved to the San Luis Valley. Our parents were friends which is how I ended up with Linda my senior year. Linda had a strong and beautiful singing voice. (Go to the "Sounds from Our Past" link on the main page of this website and scroll down to click on "Mi-A Sa-ma" to hear Linda sing.) Choir was the best part of her school years. She was frequently in the company of Virginia, Barbara, and Charlotte. She hoped to sing professionally some day. I called to tell her Johnny (Walsh) had died, but left a message to call me. Just minutes later, her daughter called to say Linda was in the hospital after suffering a massive stroke. A call for prayer went out, but the doctors were not optimistic. Linda passed away Monday, October 26 and immediately entered Eternity. (I hope she is able to join that Heavenly Choir. That would be more thrilling than being a professional!) She leaves her husband Reuben and daughters Lisa (Sprinkles) and Emily (Richardson), all of Texas. (Sorry I didn't get the names of the grandchildren.) The services will be Friday at First Baptist Church in Abilene. Cards can be sent to the family at: 3109 S. Willis Abilene, Texas 79605
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Walter U. Gomez
To Ruben, Lisa,Emily, Bill, Gene and Mrs. Chappell my sincere condolences to the family. Linda and I became friends in the Fouth Grade in Mr. Ortega's class. Immediately, she made a great impression on me and most of all the class, we named "The Tall Texan". She was tall in body, mind and spirit. I will miss her greatly as she became like a sister to me. Her feelings and mine were not of a classmate, but as Brother and Sister in the Lord Jesus Christ. The phone calls over the years, solidified the relationship that had started as young people at Boyd School in Alamosa, Evans Jr. High and Alamosa High School. The many hours that we spent at the Chappell's home singing with all our friends before concerts, operetas and on concert tours both in high school and in college will always be a highlight of my life. She was truly a friend and I will miss her tremendously. May Choir of Angels come to greet you and may they take you to Paradise, may the Lord in fold you in his mercy, may he grant you eternal peace. I Love you my Dear Friend.
Sylvia Parker (Gutierrez)
Linda was always so sweet, a greatly talented person. Her singing was amazing and her personality more so. My condolences to her family,
Sherry Meers (Innes)
Thanks for including my remarks, Jim. I didn't know you had the OB from the funeral directors. I am still stunned over the loss of two good friends within a week. My next Texas road trip will not be the same without the visit with Linda I had planned.
Jo Ann Verschoor (Aughenbaugh)
Like Walt, I also remember Linda being in our class at Boyd when she and her family moved to Alamosa from Texas. She and her family started going to the same church as we did, and we became very good friends. Not only her voice was beauiful, but she was a beauty, inside and out. I thank the Lord for her friendship for many years. She will be greatly missed.
Eric "Rocky" Ortega
I am saddened at the loss of another good friend. From Boyd Elementary through Adams State, Linda and I remained good friends. Choir practices and Choral performances will always be remembered. Fly and sing with the angels, good friend. rocky
Linda Hupp (Nash)
So sad to hear of her death. I always remember Linda's wonderful smile and she had such a beautiful voice. We would always see her and Ruben at Denny's reunion, too. She will be missed.
Charlene Heersink (Baker)
I met Linda for the first time when I entered High School and attended choir. What a beautiful voice and person and was always such a pleasant lady. I enjoyed catching up at the reunion. She will be greatly missed. My sympathy's to family, friends and school mates.
Michael "Mike" Sloan
like so many of you i came to know linda in jr high and sang in choir with her. her dad painted a western picture for my father. linda was probably one of the nicest girls in our class. it is sad to lose another classmate but heaven is now graced with a very talented person. condolences to the extended family.
Janet Eastman (Pearcy)
Linda was one that had it all...beauty, talent and brains. I am deeply saddened by the passing of Linda as she will be sorely missed. I am so sorry I did not make it to the 50th class re-unuion as I realize now that we are losing our classmates at an alarming rate but I guess we are all getting older and we should expect this more. Condolences to the family and I will always remember you, Linda....Rest in Peace...
John Tooker
I'm pleased to join the chorus of our 61' classmates in remembering Linda. I didn't know her well in our early AHS years but appreciated Linda through choral music @ AHS and ASC. I came to the AHS choir accidentally after breaking my trumpet in Mr. Buchanan's band class - my mother said that was the end of my instrumental career so I joined the choir and had the good fortune to know Linda for the good and talented person she was. It is very nice to see our class come together to remember our classmates. Thanks to Jim Ficklin for developing and maintaining our Class of 61' website.
John Tooker