Debra Erlene (Bailey) Gillespie

Debra (Debbie) Bailey Gillespie, 66, of Huntsville, Alabama, passed away unexpectedly, but peacefully in her sleep while recovering from a medical procedure on June 1, 2023, at Crestwood Medical Center.

She is preceded in death by her father, Everett Bailey, and her stepfather, Dean Helser. She is survived by her mother Helen Helser, her loving husband Carroll Gillespie, their two sons Matthew (Jennifer) of Orlando, Florida, and Andy (Lydia) of Spring Hill, Tennessee, as well as four grandchildren: Haley, Aiden, Collin, and Hudson. She is also survived by her two brothers, Randy (Sharon), and Brian Bailey.

Debra was born on September 6, 1956, in Huntsville, Alabama to Helen and Everett Bailey. Debra attended Plevna Elementary School and Buckhorn High School in New Market where she graduated in 1974.

Debra and her husband Carroll were married in 1974 and remained so for the rest of her life.

Debra (Debbie) lived in the Huntsville area all her life. She worked most of her career at the SCI (Sanmina Corporation) for 27 consecutive years starting in 1986.

Debra had a green thumb. When the weather was nice and she wasn’t at work, you could always find her in the yard, garden, garden section of a store, or at a greenhouse looking for new plants to add to her collection. When it was time to unwind, she enjoyed watching home renovation and cooking shows.

Debra loved to travel with Carroll on their annual anniversary Vegas trips, where she enjoyed listening to the winning sounds of the slot machines.

 A visitation will be held at Hazel Green Funeral Home located at 13921 US-231-431 N, Hazel Green, Alabama on Monday, June 5, 2023, from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM and Chapel services will follow at 2 PM with Jason Reid officiating and burial to follow at Pleasant Grove Cemetery, New Market, Alabama. Pallbearers will be Cleo Cromwell, Calvin Etheridge, Rodney Reid, Chris Reid, Rickey Dean Reid and Jeremy Reid. 

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