Gwyn Gillispie

(From Clark Funeral Home)

Gwyn Anita Gillispie was born on February 9, 1949, in Council Bluffs, Iowa, the eldest of six children born to Carroll “Max” and Zylpha (Walker) Blackburn. She entered into rest in the comfort of her home, surrounded by her family, at the age of 77. 

Gwyn graduated from Malvern High School in Malvern, Iowa, and earned a bachelor’s degree from Northwest Missouri State College. 

On March 25, 1971, she and Robert Gerald Gillispie were united in marriage. The family moved to Neosho in 1978 from Stanberry, Missouri. Gwyn worked briefly as a lab technician at Sale Memorial Hospital (now Freeman Neosho) before beginning her teaching career. She taught junior high and senior high science at Cassville, Joplin, Carthage, and East Newton for over twenty years. During this time, she especially loved watching and supporting Bob and her children, Terri and Doug, as they coached and played various sports. On November 17, 2011, after sharing 40 years together, Bob preceded her in death. 

After a serious health scare, Gwyn tapped into her adventurous spirit, traveling to over 30 countries on four continents. She had a passion for the outdoors, was a Master Naturalist, and loved camping, fishing, gardening, and bird-watching. She was an avid painter, working in both oil and watercolor (oftentimes with her granddaughter, Riley), and she loved challenging her friends and sisters to games of Mahjong or the daily Wordle. 

Gwyn loved doing activities and having fun with her other grandchildren, Oden, Liffey, and Meg, and was excited to hear about what they were up to between visits. She was especially close to her siblings, maintaining a special bond regardless of physical distance. She was often seen taking classes at the Y or serving as an election poll worker. She was a member of the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). 

Gwyn is survived by her two children, Terri (Gillispie) Kemna and her husband, Paul, of Neosho, and Douglas Gillispie and his wife, Jill, of Blue Springs, Missouri; four grandchildren, who lovingly called her “Grandma Gwyn”: Riley Kemna, Oden Gillispie, Liffey Gillispie, and Mary Margaret Gillispie; three sisters, Cheryl Jones and her husband, Greg, of Malvern, IA; Marsheila Stracke and her husband, Larry, of Scottsdale, AZ; and Melonie Doyle and her husband, James, of Randolph, IA; one brother, Darin Blackburn and his wife, Nori, of Waterville, KS; her brother Ed’s partner, Kelly Howard, of Queen Creek, AZ; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and dear friends. In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Ed Blackburn.

Contributions in honor of Gwyn may be made to Neosho Bright Futures or American Cancer Society, c/o Clark Funeral Home, PO Box 66; Neosho, Missouri 64850.