Betty Jo Thompson Gillespie

Betty Jo Thompson Gillespie, age 86 of Paris, TN, died Wednesday, October 18, 2017, at her residence in Paris, TN.

She worked as bookkeeper at Gillespie Motor Company for over fifty years alongside her husband, Jack, and later with their son, Joe Gillespie. She was a long-time member of First Baptist Church in Paris and she enjoyed gardening.

Betty was born May 21, 1931, in Buchanan, TN, to the late William Allen Thompson and the late Sarah Lavinia Scarbrough Thompson.

She was married December 24, 1949, to Jack Gillespie, who survives, of Paris, TN.

Along with her husband, she is also survived by one daughter, Jackie (Lynn Sr.) Paschall of Paris, TN; one son, Joe Gillespie of Paris, TN; three grandchildren, Lynn Paschall and fiancee Kimberly Martin of Waverly, TN, John (Jenifer) Paschall of Paris, TN, and Laura (Zach)  Carper of Paris, TN; four great-grandchildren, Hannah and Luke Paschall of Paris, TN, Lyndsey Paschall of Tullahoma, TN, and Ezra Clay Carper of Paris, TN; one sister-in-law, Linda Gillespie of Paris, TN; one brother-in-law, Jim (Judy) Gillespie of Huntsville, Alabama; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by four sisters, Lorene Williams, Lera Watson, Mayme Bennett, and Modena Salmon; two brothers, Barney Thompson and Archie Thompson; and one brother-in-law, David Gillespie.

Arrangements are being handled by Ridgeway Funeral Home, 201 Dunlap St, Paris, TN where visitation will be Friday, October 20, 2017, from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm, and continue Saturday, October 21, 2017, from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm.  The funeral service will be Saturday, October 21, 2017, at 2:00 pm at LeDon Chapel of Ridgeway Funeral Home with Trent Bullock officiating.

Serving as pallbearers will be Lynn Paschall, Jr., John Paschall, Luke Paschall, Zach Carper, Bill Salmon, and Larry Salmon.  Named as honorary pallbearers are W.T. Watson, Jeff Thompson, Quentin Martin, and Jimmy Williams.

Burial will follow in New Beaverdam Cemetery in Buchanan, TN.