STARKVILLE — Emma Lee Brooks Gillespie, 96, died July 3, 2025, at her residence.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, at Sand Creek Chapel M.B. Church, with the Rev. Abdural Lee officiating. Burial will follow at Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Visitation is from 1-5 p.m. Thursday at Hairston and Hairston Funeral Homes. Hairston and Hairston Funeral Homes of Starkville is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Gillespie was born Aug. 18, 1928, to the late Thomas and Ethel Lee Brooks. She was a graduate of Oktibbeha County Training School and formerly employed in custodial services with Mississippi State University.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Henry Lee; children, Doris and Henry Jr.; siblings, John Henry Brooks, Dorothy Brooks Thompso, Ella Mae Brooks Hill and Mary Catherine Brooks; and one great-grandchild.

She is survived by her children, Don Gillespie, Vera Self and Lesia Mabry; nine grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.