Bernard Eugene Gillespie

Rev. Bernard Eugene Gillespie, age 71, a longtime resident of Kingwood WV passed away on Saturday March 13, 2021 at Mon General Hospital in Morgantown WV and went to his Heavenly home.

To Rev. Gillespie, his wife Gayle, who he was married to for almost 50 years, and his family who he loved very much was his life and his grandchildren who brought him so much joy was his reason for fighting for so long, but his greatest love was God and the Word and sharing the saving gospel of Jesus Christ.

Rev. Gillespie was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in 1996 and fought a hard battle but he continued to fight no matter what he had to face until the very end never complaining and he never gave up his faith in God.

Bernard was born in Fairmont WV on November 1, 1949. He was the son of the late Olive Ann and George Gillespie. He graduated from Morgantown High and then moved to St. Paul MN where he attended ABI and graduated with his bachelor's in Theology. In 1979 Bernard moved to Kingwood WV and started his home mission church in his home and eventually after moving the church to a couple different locations he built the Kingwood Apostolic Church where he pastored until 2007 when he was unable to work any longer due to his disease progressing further. Rev. Gillespie also served in other leadership positions in the ministry. While pastoring the Kingwood Apostolic Church he also worked for the Board of Education in Kingwood which he also really loved doing.

Even though Rev. Gillespie's disease stopped him from working and pastoring it didn't stop him from what he loved most and that was spreading the gospel and the love of God. Alongside his wife Gayle they continued their ministry by doing home bible studies, visitations to those in the hospital and people who were homebound. Bernard and his wife also did the Global Traveling Church Ministries where they traveled to different places holding church services in their motor home. Rev. Gillespie was truly an inspiration to everyone he came in contact with and had so much love to give letting his light shine to others and worshipping God until the very end.

Rev. Bernard Gillespie was preceded in death by his parents George Kermit Gillespie Sr. and Olive Ann Gillespie of Fairmont WV. Five of his siblings Timothy Gillespie, Vina Kessel, Georgia Wade, Esther Sypolt, and Jane Kisner. His oldest daughter Stephanie Gillespie Curtner and son David Gillespie.

He is survived by his loving wife Gayle Eileen Gillespie, his daughter Kimberly Arias and husband Jeremias, son Nathaniel Gillespie and wife Yuliana all of Morgantown WV, son Mark Gillespie and wife Tanamay of Pittsburgh PA, daughter Christa Odell of Rowlesburg WV, daughter Tosha Gillespie of Kingwood WV and Sandy Longenecker and husband David from Connellsville PA, daughter-in-law Melissa Gillespie of Indianapolis IN. Grandchildren - Bernard, Melanie, Jeremiah, Isaiah, Antonio, Theophilus, Rebecca, Steven, Sara, Adam, Josh, Caleb and David Jr. And four great-grandchildren. Also, two sisters Sandy and Jewel and four brothers JR, Chris, Chuck and Kenny and nieces and nephews and their families.

He also has a very large extended family of those he has taken in over the years and showed them love and made them apart of his family.

Friends may call at the Hope Church, 519 Hornbeck Road, Morgantown, WV, 26528, on Thursday, March 18, 2021, from 1:00 p.m. until the time of the funeral service at 5:00 p.m. with SR. Pastor Allen Donham officiating. A private interment will be held for the family at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Kingwood.

Arrangements are under the direction of Rotruck-Lobb Kingwood Chapel.

Personal condolences may be offered to the family online at www.rotruck-lobb.com.

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