Carolyn Ash Gillespie

Carolyn Ash Gillespie, 83, of Petersburg, VA, widow of Paul Gillespie, died Thursday, November 17, 2016. Born in Clarksburg, WVA, she was the daughter of the late Roy F. and Irene Virginia Knox Ash. She was also preceded in death by her brothers, Roy F. Ash, Jr. and John H. Ash, and Ruby I. King. Mrs. Gillespie was a 1954 graduate of The College of William & Mary where she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma. She retired after 35 years of service with the Social Security Administration. She was a former officer of the Tri-City Literacy Council and enjoyed the many hours she spent helping adults learn how to read. Mrs. Gillespie is survived by her son, Paul F. Gillespie of Petersburg; daughter, Sue Ellen Peden of Elberon, VA; grandchildren, Jason Nowak (Jennifer) of Fairfax, VA, Benjamin Peden (Bridget) of Arlington, VA, John Andrew Peden, Jr. (Michelle Baduria) of Honolulu, HI, and Jacob Ash Peden (Elizabeth Renney) of Elberon, VA; great-grandson, Jack Peden; son-in-law, John A. Peden; sister, Rose Anne Welch of Morgantown, WVA, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be conducted at 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 23, 2016 at the Petersburg Chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 1500 Forest Avenue, Suite 124, Richmond, VA 23229, or the Petersburg Home for Ladies Fellowship Fund, 311 S. Jefferson Street, Petersburg, VA 23803. Condolences may be registered at www.jtmorriss.com .