Mr. James Gillespie "Drop-Down"

GILLESPIE "Drop-Down", Mr. James - Age 82, passed away Thursday, July 4, 2024, at Ascension Genesys, Grand Blanc. Family hour 10:00 AM Saturday, July 27, 2024, at Metropolitan Baptist Church, 930 E. Myrtle Ave., with funeral service commencing at 11:00 AM Pastor Stephen Murphy, officiating. Interment Sunset Hills Cemetery, G-4413 Flushing Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10:00 AM Saturday. Mr. Gillespie will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM Friday, July 26, 2024, with family present from 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM to receive friends. Bro. James Henry Gillespie was born August 18, 1941 in Starkville, Mississippi, the son of Albert and Gussie Malone Gillespie. James attended Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Crawford, MS and was a graduate of BL Moore High School in Crawford, MS. James had various truck and bus driving jobs following his graduation. Seeking a better opportunity, James relocated to Flint, Michigan and began working at Flint Truck & Bus Assembly Plant, a division of General Motors Corporation. He was a member of UAW Local #598 and retired after 42 years of service. James was a member of Metropolitan Baptist Tabernacle where he sang with the Male Chorus. He also volunteered with the Christ Alive Ministry assisting with their food and water giveaways. He also served as Setup Man with his cousins Gospel Quarter Group, “The Flint Southernaires.” James was a sharp dresser and liked clean cars. He also enjoyed playing cards, either at work or regularly at Willis Car Wash. Bro. James Henry Gillespie leaves to cherish his memory: wife, Ondria Gillespie; sons, Demetris Gillespie and Arthur (Tara) Gowdy; daughter, Ericka Kirksey, all of Flint; grandchildren, Felisha Bizzle, Demetris Cobbin, Gabrielle Lee, Tymetrius Lee, Talaya Wilbanks, Jordan Gowdy, Jaida Gowdy, Jerome Gillespie, Tre’Vaughn Gillespie, Jermiarian Gillespie and Jacob Hudson, all of Flint; great-grandchildren, Amia Bowers, Damir Bowers Bizzle, and Daliah Bowers Bizzle, all of Flint; brothers-in-law, Russell (Diane) Kirksey of Grand Blanc, MI and Jesse Kirksey of Flint; sisters-in-law, Michele (Alvin) Parker of Flint and Janie Outlaw of Starkville, MS; aunts, Geraldine Malone of Flint, Maggie Peters, Nancy Norris and Annie Malone of Starkville, MS; special cousin / brother, Aaron Malone of Flint; a host of nieces, nephews and the Malone & Dancer families; special friends, Richard Carter, Joe Jones, Charles (Gemini) Spencer and the car wash card playing crew at Willis Car Wash; a host of other relatives and friends. Bro. Gillespie was preceded in death by his son, Anthony Gillespie; daughter, La’Rhonda Gowdy; parents, Albert and Gussie Malone; sisters, Rosie Dancer and Theresa Lucious; brothers, Jodie Outlaw, Albert Gillespie Jr. and Malone Gillespie; uncles, William Malone, Walter Malone and Aaron Malone Sr.; father and mother-in-law, Jesse and Rosetta Kirksey; brother-in-law, David Kirksey; nephew, McCoy Dancer; sister-in-law, Dorothy Kirksey.

Mr. James Gillespie "Drop-Down"

August 18, 1941 - July 4, 2024