Mary “Jeannine” Sutherland Gillespie, 71, wife of Clifton “Kip” Gillespie, died Saturday, May 16, 2026, at Saint Joseph Hospital, Lexington, Kentucky. She was born July 8,1954, in Woodford County, Kentucky, to the late Billy Franklin and Norma Jean Dyer Sutherland.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her daughters, Emily Ann Gillespie and Rebecca Anne Gillespie, and brother, David Stanley Sutherland.
Mary is survived by her husband of 52 years, Clifton Clay “Kip” Gillespie; daughters, Megan Diane Story (Brad), Jennifer Clark (Troy) and Samantha Ockerman (John); sisters, Lois Courtney and Rusty Mink (Larry); grandchildren, Ethan Gillespie (Madison), Shelby Ockerman (Andrew), Hunter Story, Madison Swartz, Jaeden Story (Khloe) and Liam Story; and great-grandson, Easton Gillespie.
Memorial services were conducted at 5 p.m. on May 22 at Blackburn & Ward Funeral Home.
Family and friends are encouraged to share memories and leave messages of condolence on Mary’s tribute wall at www.blackburnandward.com.