HOME GOING SERVICE Elder Charles Franklin Gillispie, Sr. of New Born Church of God and True Holiness, Inc. A member of The New Born Lighthouse Church of the Apostolic Faith, Inc. Bishop Winfer Turner, International General Overseer Sunrise December 8, 1920 Sunset October 1, 2007 Monday, October 8, 2007 Viewing: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM Service: 11:00 AM New Born Church of God and True Holiness, Inc. 810 Rollins Avenue Capitol Heights, Maryland 20743 Officiating - Bishop Allen L. Roach, Pastor
"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing." II Timothy 4:7-8 - 3 -
OBITUARY Charles Franklin Gillispie was born on December 8, 1920, in Danville, Virginia to the late Roydon and Willie Mae Gillispie. On Monday, October 1, 2007, in the presence of his youngest son, after gazing upward, he slipped into eternal rest, passing from labor to reward. Charles received his education in the public school system of Danville, VA. He learned valuable carpentry skills while working with his father and grandfather performing roofing and metal work. In November of 1940 he enlisted in the Armed Forces, entering the Army War College in Washington, DC, and was assigned to the 374th and later the 377th Engineer Corps where he rose from the rank of Engineer-PFC to Private. He received a service metal for his heroics during WWII, where he traveled throughout Europe providing missioncritical services. He received a General Discharge under honorably conditions in 1948. Charles met Rita Mae Rice in the early 1940 s, and in July of 1943 was joined in holy matrimony in the house of Rita s Uncle Eddie and Aunt Clara Kearse. God blessed their union with 3 handsome sons and 4 beautiful daughters. Through their children, their life was filled with many joyous moments and times, leaving them with memories they would never forget. Just ask their eldest son, Charles, Jr., about his King Kong dream, or his Bruce Lee moment; or ask their middle son, Rickey, about the Dog & Pole incident; or ask their eldest daughter, Bobbie, about who dropped who through a glass table. We were seldom short on fun times and laughter. Dad loved for us to scratch his head and massage his shoulders. Often the amount of our allowance depended on how good of a job we did. Charles obtained employment with the George E. Walker Lumber Company, and rose to become lumber yard foreman, working until retirement in 1981. He obtained additional employment with the Building Maintenance Corporation, where he worked for 15 years making additional income for his family. He believed in doing whatever it took to support his family. He hazarded his health to ensure that his family was well provided for and cared for. During years of declining health, Charles befriended and became loved by many staff members and others at the VA Hospital, Heartland Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, HRC ManorCare, and Hospice of the Chesapeake. They grew to love Charles as we all do. Elder Gillispie leaves to cherish his memory his devoted children: Rita Calder, Linda Jamison (Jerome), Diann Johnson (Malcolm), Charles Gillispie, Jr., Rickey Gillispie, Sr. (Ethel), Phyllis Young (Jeffrey), and David Gillispie (Angela); three brothers: Don Gillespie (Phyllis), Harold Gillispie, and Ray Gillespie (Ruth); two sisters, Jean Johnson, and Peggy Chambers; 19 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends. Elder Gillispie was truly a jewel, full of love, and will sorely be missed by all of us. *** Special mention of his daughter Diann Johnson, who served him tirelessly. *** - 4 -
CHURCH PAPER Charles Gillispie, Sr. received the Holy Ghost in June of 1951. He joined the fellowship of New Born Church of God and True Holiness in the late 1950 s under the leadership of Bishop Woodrow Roach, Sr. During the course of his work in the church, Bro. Charles Gillispie, Sr., served as the adult Sunday school teacher, and he taught Bible Study. He was a very good teacher. He was appointed as Sunday School Superintendent on November 4, 1958, and he also served as the New Born Church of God and True Holiness National Sunday School Superintendent. Bro. Charles Gillispie, Sr., was called into the ministry and preached his trial sermon on March 6, 1962. He was ordained an Elder in October of 1966. Elder Gillispie, Sr., pastured New Born Church of God and True Holiness in Stafford, Virginia for 2 years and Nondenominational Church in Washington, DC for 10 years. After the aged membership died out, Elder Gillispie returned to the fellowship of the New Born Church of God and True Holiness in Capitol Heights, MD in August 1997. Elder Charles Gillispie had a great love for the church and the people of God. He faithfully attended the services every opportunity that he had, and continued to preach the gospel warning souls to prepare themselves so that they would not go to hell. He let us know through the Word that hell is a terrible place where there is weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth. Elder Gillispie loved his pastor, Bishop Allen Roach, and faithfully served under him. He was very encouraging to the pastor and to his son; Elder David Gillispie, the Assistant pastor. He encouraged them to preach the Word and he let them know by his presence, his obedience, and his financial support that he was with them wholeheartedly. One of the highlights of Elder Charles Gillispie s year was the trip that he made to the International Holy Convocation where he was able to independently go in and among the saints from the various states to share and enjoy the fellowship. He planned and looked forward to attending the Convocation each year. Elder Gillispie enjoyed the Word of God and the service of God, and when words would fail him in expressing his joy he would just shout out, My, My, My! His favorite hymn was, Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross. Elder Charles Gillispie, Sr., remained faithful unto death. At the end he longed to be clothed with his heavenly house, and our sweet and compassionate Savior honored his request. We humbly yield our will to God s perfect will concerning him. For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. II Corinthians 5:1-2, 8-5 -
ORDER OF SERVICE Presiding.... Elder David Gillispie Assistant Pastor The Processional...... New Born Church Choir Lord, You Are Welcome Invocation..... Elder Michael King The Scripture Reading Old Testament... Elder Quinton James Psalms 116:7-16 New Testament Elder Tovel Young I Thessalonians 4:13-18 Selection.... New Born Church Choir Near the Cross Words of Expression. (Friends of the Family) Sis. Virginia Johnson (Special Family Friend) Ms. Onnetta Benoit (Special Family Friend) Ms. Dorothy Gholston Cake Lady (Special Family Friend) Elder Kurt Geddis (Special Family Friend) Selection.... New Born Church Choir Rise Above It All Words of Expression. (Church Family) Mother Mabel Harvey (On Behalf of the Sisterhood) Elder Joseph Harvey (On Behalf of the Brotherhood) Elder Michael King (On Behalf of the Clergy) Bishop Winfer Turner or Designee (On Behalf of the NBLC Organization) The family asks that remarks be limited to within 3 minutes each. Please help us keep this time special by placing cell phones on vibrate. - 6 -
ORDER OF SERVICE Selection.... New Born Church Choir Going Up Yonder Words of Expression. (The Family) Mr. Gary Johnson (On Behalf of the Nieces/Nephews) Ms. Jean Johnson (On Behalf of the Sisters) Mr. Don Gillespie (On Behalf of the Brothers) Sis. Jasmine Gillispie (On Behalf of the Grandchildren) Ms. Rita Calder (On Behalf of the Daughters) Mr. Charles Gillispie, Jr. (On Behalf of the Sons) Selection..... New Born Church Choir Victory - Written by grandson, Rickey Gillispie, Jr. Acknowledgements, Obituary, and Church Paper.... Sis. Angela Gillispie Church Secretary Selection..... New Born Church Choir Good and Faithful Servant Eulogy....... Bishop Allen L. Roach New Born Church of God and True Holiness, Pastor New Born Lighthouse Church, International Vice General Overseer Final Viewing and Recessional..... New Born Church Choir He ll Welcome Me (Please proceed directly to your vehicle for immediate departure) Interment..... Lincoln Memorial Cemetery Suitland, Maryland Benediction The family asks that remarks be limited to within 3 minutes each. Please help us keep this time special by placing cell phones on vibrate. - 7 -
THE LOVE OF HIS LIFE - 8 -
THE LADIES IN HIS LIFE -9-
THE GENTLEMEN IN HIS LIFE - 10 -
THE SIBLINGS IN HIS LIFE - 11 -
THE GRANDCHILDREN IN HIS LIFE - 12 -
THE GREAT GRANDCHILDREN IN HIS LIFE - 13 -
POEMS FROM THE GRANDCHILDREN Poem Of Life Life is but a stopping place, A pause in what's to be, A resting place along the road, to sweet eternity. We all have different journeys, Different paths along the way, We all were meant to learn some things, but never meant to stay... Our destination is a place, Far greater than we know. For some the journey's quicker, For some the journey's slow. And when the journey finally ends, We'll claim a great reward, And find an everlasting peace, Together with the Lord. The White Chariot During your journey on your final flight home. White wings will carry you and you will be flown. To the pearly gates of Heaven, where they will usher you in. To the feet of your Lord, your Savior, and your friend. He will hold you in his arms and the angels will sing. As another one of His children is delivered by white wings. "God Saw You Getting Tired" God saw you getting tired When a cure was not to be. So He wrapped His arms around you, And whispered, Come unto me. You didn t deserve what you went through, And so He gave you rest. God s garden must be beautiful, He only takes the best. So when I saw you sleeping, So peaceful and free from pain. I could not wish you to come back, to suffer that all again. Silent Tear Each night we shed a silent tear, As we speak to you in prayer. To let you know we love you, And just how much we care. Take our million teardrops, Wrap them up in love, Then ask the wind to carry them, To you in heaven above. - 14 -
Pall Bearers Nephews and Brothers of New Born Church Honorary Pall Bearers Elder Joseph Harvey, Sr., Deacon Thomas Henson Flower Bearers Grandchildren A Tribute No more suffering, no more pain; Only clear shining after rain. No more tears, misfortunes to entertain; Only clear shining after rain. No more worries or appearance to sustain; Only clear shining after rain. Now only days with Jesus remain; Nothing but clear shining after rain. We Acknowledge Your Kindness Perhaps you sent a lovely card, or sat quietly in a chair Perhaps you sent a floral piece, if so, we saw it there. Perhaps you spoke the kindest words, as any friend could say Perhaps you re not here at all, just thought of us today. Whatever you did to console our hearts, your thoughtfulness, love and concerns are appreciated and will always be remembered. The Family Repast The family would like to extend an invitation for all to join them for the repast back at: New Born Church of God and True Holiness 810 Rollins Avenue Capitol Heights, MD Arrangements Entrusted To: Stewart Funeral Home, Inc. 4001 Benning Road, N.E. Washington, DC 20019 202-399-3600-15 -
That sure was a great ride, wasn t it Charles? Yea Rita, it sure was...now scratch my head and massage my shoulders sweety Man please, I m resting...