Rose Gillespie

Rosetta “Rose” Powell Gillespie

Age 97 — Marion, Virginia

Rosetta “Rose” Powell Gillespie, age 97, passed away on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at Valley Nursing Home.

The first thing she saw with her new eyes was Jesus.

Rose was born on February 2, 1928, in Marion, Virginia, to the late Otis and Ethel Golliher Powell. She was the last surviving child of their nine children. Rose was the widow of Joe W. Gillespie, her beloved husband of 50 years.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her eight siblings — brothers James Powell, Douglas Powell, Otis “Ditt” Powell, Randy Powell, Fred Powell, and Clark Powell; sisters Mae P. Tarter and Phyllis P. Lowman; her half-brothers Jack Powell and Robert Powell; half-sister Kay Kegley; sons-in-law Jimmy Gardner and Bill Herndon; and grandson David Herndon.

Rose had not seen her mother for 88 years — now they are together again.

Rose was a longtime member of South Fork Baptist Church. She worked for several years at Burlington Hosiery Mill and later retired after 20 years of service with Virginia House Furniture. She was known for sending cards for any and every occasion to her family and friends. Rose loved to read, listen to music, and tend to her flowers and yard in the summer. Her greatest joy was spending time with her family.

She is survived by her three daughters: Sandra Herndon Thomas and husband Cecil of Sugar Grove, VA; Carol Gardner Zimoski and husband Terry of Martinsville, VA; and Beth Hamm and husband Eddie of Marion, VA.

Six grandchildren: Stacy Herndon and Tony Byrd of Glade Spring, VA; Jason Gardner and wife Julie of Martinsville, VA; Brian Gardner of Martinsville, VA; Jeffrey Gardner of Manassas, VA; and Joshua Hawk and wife Ashley of Colorado Springs, CO.

Eight great-grandchildren: Aros Herndon, Stevie Byrd, Justin Byrd, Zoey Gardner, Elyse Gardner, Landry Hawk, Brooks Hawk, and Mabry Rose Hawk.

Also surviving are her sister-in-law Kiyoko Powell, several nieces and nephews, and special friends Connie Tilson and Mary Johnson.

Funeral services will be held at 3PM at Bradley's Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Joshua Hawk officiating. The family will receive friends on Friday, October 24, 2025, from 2:00–3:00 PM at Bradley’s Funeral Home in Marion. Graveside services will follow at South Fork Cemetery.

Donations may be made in Rose’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to Wythe Hospice and Valley Health Care for their compassionate care during Rose’s final days, and a special thank you to Bradley’s Funeral Home for their service. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.bradleysfh.com.  Bradley’s Funeral Home is serving the Gillespie family.