Virginia Kratzer Gillespie, 99, of Meadow Branch, in Madison County, departed this life on April 15, 2022. Born August 31, 1922, she was the daughter of the late Edith Stubbs of Charlotte, and the adopted daughter of the late Anna and Joseph Kratzer of Milroy, Pennsylvania, and Hendersonville, NC.

Virginia spent most of her life in Hendersonville, moving to Madison County in 2013. Her life was spent as a mother-at-home, as a bookkeeper for Northwestern Bank, and as a long-time member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary, of which she served as NC State President.

She was married for 44 years to the late Robert Gillespie, with whom she was a classmate at Mills River High School in Henderson County.

She is survived by two sons, Robert John Gillespie (Claire) and Thomas L. Gillespie (Deborah), grandchildren Lora Mollo (Andrew), Emily Gillespie, Zachary Gillespie, and Evan Gillespie (Chelsea), six great grandchildren, and friends who knew her.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 30, 2022, at 2:00 pm, at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit, near Mars Hill.

Blue Ridge Funeral Service is assisting the family with arrangements.