Bernadine Walker Mathis Gillespie, 85, passed away on Feb. 18, 2010.

She was born Jan. 24, 1925, in Bluff City to Thomas Jefferson Walker and Rose Dumas Walker, who preceded her in death.

Bernadine’s greatest joys in life were her faith and her family. She served as a church secretary for 12 years at the MacArthur Park Church of Christ in San Antonio and remained a faithful child of God her entire life. In 1999, she attended a high school reunion and became re-acquainted again with General Gillespie who had asked Bernadine to marry him many years ago while she was in high school, but she said no as she wanted to finish school. She later went on to marry Daniel and General later married Louise Skelton and they both had happy marriages until Daniel died in 1991 and Louise died in 1998. When General asked again for her to marry him; she said yes and they were married Oct. 30, 1999.

Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers, G. P. Walker, Hollis Walker, Dennis Walker and her sister, Marjorie Hendriks. She was also preceded in death by her first husband, Daniel H. Mathis to whom she was married from Aug. 30, 1947, until his death on Feb. 22, 1991.

She is survived by her husband, General F. Gillespie and his children, Allen (Carla) Gillespie, Linda Bushyhead, and numerous step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sons and their families: Jeff Mathis, Don Mathis, Ben Mathis, Ted (Pattie) Mathis, Matthew Mathis and her grandchildren, Adam, Nicole, Maggie Rose, Charlie and Chloe. Also mourning her passing are many nieces, nephews, family members and friends.

Moore’s Eastlawn Funeral Home of Tulsa, Okla., is in charge of arrangements.

Funeral services were held Saturday at the Memorial Drive Church of Christ in Tulsa, and will be held at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24, at the MacArthur Park Church of Christ, San Antonio, Texas, with burial to follow at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.

Donations may be made to Seasons Hospice, 6532 E. 71st, Suite 101, Tulsa, OK 74133, MacArthur Park Church of Christ Library Fund, 1907 NE Loop 410, San Antonio, Texas, 78217, or to the charity of your choice.