Catherine Margaret Ledford Gillespie Alton

Catherine Margaret Ledford Gillespie Alton, of Gainesville, Georgia, age 99, passed away peacefully on February 8, 2021 at The Fountainview Center for Alzheimer’s in Atlanta, Georgia from declining health and complications from Covid-19. She was born on November 20, 1921, in New Holland, Georgia, to James Leonard “Jim” and Bertha Mae Ledford. Catherine grew up in New Holland, and throughout her life recounted fond memories of her youth, family, school years and friends in the village. She was a loving wife to Tip Gillespie from 1940 to his death in 1975, and to Neal Alton from 1978 until his passing in 2016. She attended the Congregational Holiness Church during her years with Tip. She was a good homemaker and caring, loving mother. She held dear her family and Christian faith. She enjoyed extended family visits and Holiday gatherings. She was intermittently employed as a seamstress and dental hygienist during this time. During her years with Neal, she was a member of Central Baptist Church and the 101 Bible Class and sang on the Sunday morning radio broadcasts. She and Neal belonged to the “Golden Agers” at the New Holland Baptist Church and attended many outings and friendship gatherings with their long time New Holland friends. She and Neal also visited nursing homes and sang for the residents. She was an associate at Sears for a number of years during that time. She was artistic and played piano and painted.

She was preceded in death by her parents James Leonard and Bertha Mae Ledford; first husband Cothern Tip Gillespie; second husband Eston O’Neal “Neal” Alton; son Stanley Ray Gillespie; brothers Willie Ledford, Edward A “Bill” Ledford and James “Jimmy” Ledford; sisters Pearl Smith, Lois Wilson, Florence Westbrook, and Barbara Thompson; numerous brothers and sisters-in-law from family and marriages. She was the last of that wonderful generation to pass. Surviving to cherish her memory are her son Garry M. Gillespie of Atlanta, Georgia; daughter-in-law Dodie (Stanley) Gillespie of Atlanta; granddaughter Amy Gillespie (Steve) Silverstein of Atlanta; great-granddaughters Carly Silverstein and Sydney Silverstein of Atlanta; stepdaughter Jan Alton (Gene) Cobb of Gainesville, Georgia; step-granddaughters Tresa Entrekin Martin of Columbia, S.C. and Tonya Entrekin of Chapel Hill, N.C.; and step-great-grandson Reed Ellis Martin of Columbia, S.C.

A graveside service will be held with the immediate family present. For those wishing to honor Catherine’s memory, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association P.O. Box 96011 Washington, DC 20090-6011; alz.org or the charity of their choice.

Memorial Park Funeral Home North Riverside Chapel, 989 Riverside Dr. is in charge of arrangements.

Send online condolences to www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com.