Mary Fitzgerald Gillie

Reidsville: Mary Fitzgerald Gillie, 97, of Brookridge Retirement Community, passed away Saturday, January 26, 2013 at Brookridge. There will be a graveside committal service at 12PM Noon, Thursday, January 31, 2013 at Greenview Cemetery in Reidsville with Rev. Jeffrey Smith officiating. A Memorial service will be held at 3:00 PM Thursday afternoon, January 31 at Feezor Auditorium with Rev. Ray Benfield officiating. Mrs. Gillie was born in Chatham County, VA to the late, James Fitzgerald, Sr. and Mary Womack Fitzgerald and spent childhood days in Wilson, NC. Mrs. Gillie received her BS from UNCG in Secretarial Administration, known then as Women’s College. She worked for many years with DuPont where she served as the administrative assistant to the CEO. Her career started in Wilmington, DE and she was later moved to Martinsville, VA. She was a longtime and faithful member of First Baptist Church of Reidsville and was one of the first women to be recognized and selected to serve the church as a Deacon. She also taught Sunday school for many years. She was very involved in the community and active with clubs and CIVIC organizations. She was a wonderful and gracious hostess. After her husband, Garland’s death, Mrs. Gillie moved to the Brookridge Retirement Community. She joined the College Park Baptist Church and became an active member right away. She also served the Brookridge Chaplain services by organizing and facilitating various minister visits and accommodations. Along with her parents, she was also preceded in death by her husband, Garland Kemp Gillie, Sr.; her son Garland Kemp Gillie, Jr.; her brothers, Dr. Charles Edmond Fitzgerald and James Morgan Fitzgerald, Jr. She is survived by her step daughter, Mary Olive Gillie Smith and husband, Rev. Jeff Smith of Winston-Salem; step grandchildren, Davilla S. Gilbert and husband, Craig, Mary Olive Smith and husband, Dan Weiss, Jeffrey D. Smith, Jr. and Sandra W. Smith; five step great grandchildren; her sister-in-law, Ann Fitzgerald of Wilson, NC and numerous nieces and nephews. The family would like to recognize the Brookridge Retirement Community for the love and friendship given to Mrs. Gillie for over 23 years. They want to especially thank the Brookridge medical staff, doctors and nurses for their tender loving care and also the loyal caregivers of Blessed Assurance Companion Care. Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church of Reidsville, 409 South Main Street, Reidsville, NC 27320, College Park Baptist Church, 1701 Polo Rd, Winston Salem, NC 27106 OR The Free Clinic of Reidsville and Vicinity, 315 South Main Street, Reidsville, NC 27320.