Brenda Katherine Gillespie was born on August 5, 1957, in Macon, Mississippi. At age 65, Brenda passed away peacefully in her bed September 11, 2022. Brenda attended Knoxubee County High School in Macon, Mississippi. Brenda left Mississippi in 1985 and moved to Racine, Wisconsin with her eldest brother Donald W. Gillespie. Brenda loved to help anyone in need and didn't mind opening her door for family and friends. She loved her five children dearly, but more so, she loved her grandchildren just as much if not more. She went above and beyond raising her kids, and she never skipped a beat. Her grandchildren were her world.

Surviving are her five children, Della (Eric) Hughes of Jackson, MS; Felicia Gillespie of Racine, WI; Sheketta Gillespie of Green Bay, WI; Shavonda (Donald) Neal of Dallas, TX; Donald (DeAndrea) Gillespie of Houston, TX. Thirteen grandchildren, Deantre Franklin, Tyrique Franklin, Tatyana Franklin,  Mikella Townsend, Eric Hughes Jr., Eriel Hughes, Daneria Gillespie, Donasti Neal Donald Gillespie Jr., Namreh Thomas, Donald Neal III, Damiere Neal, & Destin Neal; two great grandchildren (twins), Emerald and Egypt Franklin;  siblings, Donald (Daisy) Gillespie of Kenosha, WI; Arlene Gillespie of Dallas, TX; Charles Gillespie, Carl (Valerie) Edwards of Macon, MS; and Sylvester (Cynthia) Edwards of San Jose, CA; Cpt Bobby Edwards of Yazoo, MS; Betty Clemons Edwards of La Grange, GA; and Velma Yates of Macon, GA.  Brenda was preceded in death by her parents, Katherine Gillespie and Daniel Gillespie; grandmother, Della Sanders; her Aunt Pecola Tippet; granddaughter, Denim Neal; siblings, Curtis Edwards, Morris Edwards, and Julius Edwards III.

Homegoing services will be held in the Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home on Monday, September 26, 2022 at 11:00 am. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Monday from 10:00 – 11:00 am. Interment will take place at Odd Fellows Cemetery in Macon, Mississippi.