Mrs. Willie Elizabeth Price Gillespie, 76, of Morganton, passed away on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at her residence.

Willie was born on March 5, 1949, in Gaston County to the late George Price and Maggie Cook Price.  She was retired from the textile industry and previously attended Burkemont Baptist Church.  Willie was very active in her community, serving in the Salem Ladies Auxiliary Fire Department, and a youth cheerleading coach for 12 years. She enjoyed her flowers and gardening, and taking care of all the kids, some not even of her own. She was the true matriarch of the family and was there to help them all with anything they needed.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Gillespie, a daughter, Wendy Gillespie Howard, three brothers, Virgil, Johnny and George Price, and one sister, Jo Anne Glazebrooks.

Surviving is her son, Donnie Gillespie and wife Christy of Morganton, her daughter, Elizabeth Dawn Ross and fiancé Tony Laws of Morganton, a brother, David Price and wife Kay, sister in-law, Vickie Price and special aunt, Judy Hinson and husband Bobby.  Also surviving are her beloved grandchildren: Victor Ramsey, Kaleb Ross (Kaley), Amber Moore (Justin), Brandon Ross (Annie) and Adam Moon, step grandchildren, Jessica Pittman (Shane) and Kody Pittman (Angelica), and great-grandchildren: Ellie Ross, Grayson Ramsey, Grace Ross, Savannah Moore, Kaynon Moore, Jordyn Gosnell, Zane Gosnell, Malachai Wilson, Gates Lauderdale and Noah Pittman.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, March 29, 2025, from 4:00 until 5:00 P.M. at Heritage Funeral Service in Valdese.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at a later date.

Heritage Funeral Service & Crematory of Valdese is assisting the Gillespie family.