Justin Gillespie

Justin Barrett Gillespie, 45, passed away Friday, December 31, 2021, at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center. He was born December 21, 1976, in Spartanburg, a son of Dianne Ridings-Norton and stepson of A. J. Norton of Moore, and the son of Furman Eugene Gillespie of Walhalla, SC.

Barrett was a graduate of Spartanburg High School where he lettered in cross country and was a member of the JROTC.  He was a graduate of Spartanburg Methodist College and University of South Carolina.  Barrett was a supervisor with the SC Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services where he would have been employed for 19 years as of February 1, 2022.  Prior to becoming a supervisor, he worked as a Parole Agent with the Domestic Violence and Sexual Offenders. He also worked security for University of South Carolina athletic events.  Barrett was a very sentimental and caring person. He was a Christian, loved his Lord Jesus Christ and read his Bible daily. He was an avid reader of Christian and history books, as well as various other topics. He enjoyed swimming and working out. He held a deep love for his family. They loved him dearly and will miss him greatly; he was taken so quickly. Comfort is found by knowing he went to his eternal home and they will see him again one day.

In addition to his parents and stepfather, he is survived by two brothers, Geoffrey Gillespie of Charleston, and Jason Gillespie, of Ridgeland; a half-brother, Turner Perrow, of Georgetown; a stepsister, Alicia Fulton of Inman, and a stepbrother, Jason Norton, of Woodruff;  an aunt,  Coness Gillespie, of Anderson, his four-legged fur babies, Bently and Delilah; two uncles, Gary and Tex Ridings and numerous nieces and nephews; also special friend, Erin Johnson.  He was predeceased by maternal grandparents Claude Ridings and Hazel P. Babb; paternal grandparents, Willie Mae and Andrew Gillespie.

Visitation will be Wednesday, January 5, 2022, 1:30-2:30 at Floyd’s Greenlawn Chapel, 2075 East Main Street, Spartanburg, SC, 29307.  Funeral service will follow at 3:00 PM in the chapel conducted by Rev. Sal Barone.  Entombment will follow in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens Heritage Chapel Mausoleum, 1300 Fernwood-Glendale Road, Spartanburg, SC, 29307.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Samaritan’s Purse, P. O. Box 3000, Boone, NC, 28607 or to the charity of one’s choice.