Rosie Bell (Gillespie) Thomas

​MRS. ROSIE BELL GILLESPIE THOMAS, 78 of MARSHVILLE, NC ​passed away Friday, February 23, 2018 at her home.

Funeral Services will be held 1:00 pm Wednesday, February 28, 2018 at the Piney Grove East Missionary Baptist Church, 1708 Ansonville Rd., Marshville, NC 28103. Dr. Matthew Rouse, Pastor, Eulogist.  Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

A public viewing will be held 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm Tuesday, February 27, 2018 at Harris Funeral Home & Cremations of Monroe, NC.

Rosie Bell was a daughter of the late Craig Sr., and Carrie Caudle Gillespie, born on Wednesday, September 27, 1939, in Union County, NC.  Rosie was predeceased by her husband, William (Bill) Alfred Thomas; son, Henry Lee Thomas; two sisters, Mary Frances Gillespie Staton, Josephine Gillespie Clyburn and four brothers, Fred, James, Craig, Jr., and Bobby Gillespie.

She was a member of Piney Grove East Missionary Baptist Church and was active until declining health.  She held various positions within the church to include a member of the Missionary Circle and Secretary of the Usher Board.

Rosie received her diploma from East Union School in Marshville, NC and was employed with Tension Envelope Corporation for 29 years, where she retired.  She was a lifetime member of the NAACP, President of Out of Slight Group (Blind) in Monroe, NC and a Board member of the Union County Transportation.

Rosie leaves loving memories to her three sisters, Queen Elsie Gillespie Sturdivant and Sarah Gillespie, both of Marshville, NC and Sadie Mae Hamlor of Bronx, NY; two brothers, Rommie Gillespie and Archer Gillespie (Carolyn) all of Marshville,  NC ; four sisters in law, Calloñ Washington Gillespie, Reverend Mae Thomas, Joyce Thomas Wilson and Audrey Thomas Allen; two brothers in law, Carol Thomas and Donnie Clyburn; special niece and caregiver, Revonda Gillespir LouAllen; God children, Walter Stephen Owens of New Orleans; Michelle R. Owens(Daniel) of Tampa, FL., Jackie Mullins (Teddy) of Wilmington DE., Larry Owens and Bernard Drakeford of Paterson, NJ; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.