Idelle "Doll" Gillespie

Mrs. Idelle King “Doll” Gillespie, the daughter of the late Erving and Annie Collins King, was born November 17, 1938 in Egypt, Mississippi.  She attended elementary school in Mississippi, high school at Crispus Attucks and College at Barber College graduating from both in Indianapolis, Indiana.

“Doll” was later employed as a material handler retiring after many years of service.  She also worked for T.J. Maxx and retired from there as well.

“Doll” was a two-time cancer survivor.  In 2016, she was diagnosed with both Alzheimer’s Disease and Leukemia.  She approached life believing that she could conquer anything.

“Doll” loved crossword puzzles, word searches, reading and continued until her untimely passing.  “Doll” never had children but babysat for many children that she taught to read before they could walk.

“Doll” was best known for her amazing baking skills, a picture-perfect peach cobbler every time she made it., chocolate chip cookie bars that would melt in your mouth, fried corn that was second to none.  She would peel pears for days to make some of the best pear preserves you ever tasted, along with many other awesome treats.  But, the one item that everyone will always remember was her melt-in-your-mouth Mexican Wedding Cookies.  If you never had them, you missed a treat.  Although several members have the recipe they have never been duplicated.  “Doll” will be missed by many for many different reasons.

God sent his angels to retrieve Doll’s soul on Sunday, March 17, 2019 at the blessed age of 80 years and 4 months.  She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Erving and Annie Collins King; four brothers, James Otis King, Jack Dumpsey Collins, Scott Clark and Isaac Stewart; one sister, Ida Maxine May.  She leave to cherish her memories two brothers, Willie Erving King (Vera) and Desmond King; three sisters, Delores Duckett, Sarah Ann Reid (Lonnie) and Ernestine Jackson (Charles), all of Indianapolis, Indiana; a sister-in-law that was like a sister to her, Glenda Collins of Los Angeles, California and a very special niece that cared for her until God called her home, Cherri Thomas, and a host of relatives and friends.