Lida Jane Gillespie

A family only graveside service for Lida Jane Gillespie, 88, will be conducted at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, August 3, 2024, in Hillcrest Burial Park, Waxahachie.

Lida Jane passed away peacefully on Tuesday July 30, 2024, in Magnolia, Texas. She was born in Graham, Texas on November 30, 1935 to Hugh and Lida Loree (Boyd) Smith. She was united in marriage to Joe Louis Gillespie, Jr. on June 15, 1954, in Oklahoma. Joe passed away on November 1, 1996 at the age of 58 after they had 41 years of marriage and raised three children. 

Throughout her life, Lida Jane lived with a generous spirit and dedicated herself to various roles. She served as a pianist and organist at First Baptist in Ranger as a young girl and also as an organist at First Baptist Church in Midland as an adult. She was also a clerical worker at Blue Cross and a private piano teacher. Lida Jane had a profound gift and love of music and was a founding member of the Conroe Symphony Orchestra during its inaugural 5 years. If you have played golf or tennis in April Sound in Conroe, chances are you crossed paths with Lida Jane. She and her husband purchased a property lot in this community, but he then passed away, so she decided to complete their dream of living in a house on the golf course and moved to Conroe from Muscatine, Iowa. She began to fill the void of the loss of Joe by playing golf and tennis. She organized several groups of players and kept the courts full. Lida Jane also had the opportunity to live overseas in Saudi Arabia because of Joe’s work. They were able to travel to many European countries over 5 years overseas. But were ready to return to the USA to spend their later years. Lida Jane is preceded in death by her husband, Joe Louis Gillespie, Jr., her daughter, Lisa Jane Moore (Bruce), and her son, Patrick Louis Gillespie (Sofia).

Lida Jane is survived by one daughter, Lou Ann Gray (John) of Magnolia; five grandchildren, Patrick Tyler Gillespie (Samantha) of Centerville, Patricia Ann Neidhart (Kyle) of Celina, Samuel Everett Moore of Flower Mound, Amanda Kathleen Strickland (Adrian) of San Antonio, and Rachel Alexandria Kranis of Lewisville. She also has eight great-grandchildren which she loved dearly, Cade Cable Neidhart, Patrick Levi Gillespie, Castiel Cruz Maldonado Moore, Dagny Jane Gillespie, Connor James Neidhart, Jaden Price Kranis, Patrick Henry Gillespie, and Emily Kate Neidhart.

She is now reunited with her beloved spouse, Joe; her parents, Loree and Hugh, as well as her daughter, Lisa; and son, Patrick. Let us celebrate with those in heaven and remember Lida Jane’s passion for music and tennis and her genuine love she shared with us all.

Memorial donations may be made to: Conroe Symphony Orchestra, 1500 N. Frazier St. Conroe, Texas 77301 or go to website: https://conroesymphony.org