The Rev. Bernard Eugene Gillespie, age 71, a longtime resident of Kingwood, passed away Saturday March 13, 2021, at Mon Health Medical Center in Morgantown and went to his heavenly home.
To Rev. Gillespie, his wife Gayle, who he was married to for almost 50 years, and his family, who he loved very much, were his life, and his grandchildren, who brought him so much joy, were his reason for fighting for so long, but his greatest love was God and the Word and sharing the saving gospel of Jesus Christ.
Rev. Gillespie was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1996 and fought a hard battle, but he continued to fight no matter what he had to face until the very end, never complaining, and he never gave up his faith in God.
Bernard was born in Fairmont on Nov. 1, 1949. He was the son of the late Olive Ann and George Gillespie. He graduated from Morgantown High and then moved to Saint Paul, Minn., where he attended ABI and graduated with his bachelor’s in theology. In 1979, Bernard moved to Kingwood and started his home mission church in his home and eventually, after moving the church to a couple different locations, he built the Kingwood Apostolic Church, where he pastored until 2007, when he was unable to work any longer due to his disease progressing further. Rev. Gillespie also served in other leadership positions in the ministry. While pastoring the Kingwood Apostolic Church he also worked for the Board of Education in Kingwood, which he also really loved doing.
Even though Rev. Gillespie’s disease stopped him from working and pastoring, it didn’t stop him from what he loved most and that was spreading the gospel and the love of God. He and his wife Gayle continued their ministry by doing home bible studies, visitations to those in the hospital and people who were homebound. Bernard and his wife also did the Global Traveling Church Ministries, where they traveled to different places holding church services in their motor home. Rev. Gillespie was truly an inspiration to everyone he came in contact with and had so much love to give, letting his light shine to others and worshipping God until the very end.
Rev. Bernard Gillespie was preceded in death by his parents George Kermit Gillespie Sr. and Olive Ann Gillespie. Five of his siblings: Timothy Gillespie, Vina Kessel, Georgia Wade, Esther Sypolt and Jane Kisner; his oldest daughter, Stephanie Gillespie Curtner, and son, David
Gillespie.
He is survived by his loving wife Gayle Eileen Gillespie, his daughter Kimberly Arias and husband Jeremias, son Nathaniel Gillespie and wife Yuliana, all of Morgantown; son Mark Gillespie and wife Tanamay, of Pittsburgh, daughter Christa Odell of Rowlesburg, daughter Tosha Gillespie, of Kingwood, and Sandy Longenecker and husband David, from Connellsville, Pa., daughter-in-law Melissa Gillespie, of Indianapolis; grandchildren, Bernard, Melanie, Jeremiah, Isaiah, Antonio, Theophilus, Rebecca, Steven, Sara, Adam, Josh, Caleb and David Jr.; and four great-grandchildren. Also, two sisters, Sandy and Jewel and four brothers, JR, Chris, Chuck and Kenny and nieces and nephews and their families survive.
He also has a very large extended family of those he has taken in over the years and showed them love and made them part of his
family.
Friends may call at the Hope Church, 519 Hornbeck Road, Morgantown, Thursday, March 18, 2021, from 1 p.m., until the time of the funeral service at
5 p.m. with Senior Pastor Allen Donham officiating. A private interment will be held for the family at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Kingwood. Arrangements are under the direction of Rotruck-Lobb Kingwood Chapel.
Condolences: www.rotruck-lobb.com.
