Trending
WARREN -- Rabbi Yada James Washington Gillespie Sr., 78, died Tuesday, June 27, 2023, at his residence, following cardiac arrest.
He was born July 15, 1944, in Catalpa, Ala., the son of William and Lizzie Dykes Gillespie.
He was employed as a rabbi at the Bethel Yisraelite Elohim Congregation, where he was also a member. He was the owner / operator of Genesis Wellness Society, and had been a cook at the VA Hospital of Battle Creek.
He was an Army veteran, serving during the Vietnam War.
Survivors include his wife, Annie Pearl Cunningham Gillespie of Warren; daughters, Elizabeth Gillespie and Roxanne Myles, both of Kalamazoo, Mich.; brothers, Carmen Gillespie of Muskegon, Mich. and Ernest Gillespie of Kalamazoo, Mich.; sisters, Ruby Burt of Muskegon and Rasheedah Gillespie-Muhammed of Grand Rapids, Mich.; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by sons, James Gillespie I, James Gillespie II and Jeffrey Gillespie; one brother and one sister.
Calling hours will be at 11 a.m., followed by funeral services at noon Friday, at the Sterling-McCullough Williams Chapel, where masks are suggested.
Burial will be in Pineview Memorial Park Cemetery.