Gladys Charlene (Saxton) Gillespie

Gladys “Charlene” Saxton Gillespie, 82, of Forsyth, Missouri, went home to the God who made her after taking  her last breath at home and graduated from this life on Friday, April 04, 2025. 

Charlene was born in Carmel, California on May 30, 1942, to Charles Earl and Gladys Sudie Blach Saxton. Charlene lived in California and on the coast of Oregon before her family moved to Provo, Utah. Charlene  enjoyed telling people she was the original beach bum.  

Charlene graduated from Brigham Young High School (BY High) in Provo, UT with three lifetime friends:  Lorraine, Linda, and Lynda. Charlene attended Brigham Young University (BYU) in Provo for a short time  before starting her family and then again later in life. Charlene took a calligraphy class in 1991, while at BYU  and began to create and sell calligraphy artwork. Charlene’s true passion was horses. She shared this love  with her children as they owned, bred, trained, and showed Arabian and American Saddlebred horses. 

In 2022, Charlene moved to “the Ozarks” to be closer to her Missouri family. She enjoyed spending time with  her family and being a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. 

Charlene was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, serving in various callings throughout her life, including as a temple worker and Initiatory Supervisor at the Provo Utah Temple. Charlene dedicated her life to the service of her Lord and Savior and served all those with whom she came in  contact. 

Charlene is survived by four daughters: Amy Gillespie, Forsyth, MO; Jennifer Gillespie (Jason Shelley), Salem,  UT; Stephanie Spencer (Thom), Forsyth, MO; Shannon Saunders (Dan), Sidney, OH; daughter-in-law, Angie Gillespie, Duvall, WA; honorary daughter, Melanie Christensen (Tim), Orem, UT; 23 grandchildren; 1  honorary grandchild; 3 great-grandchildren; a brother: Chuck Saxton of Hayden, ID; and other family and  friends.  

Charlene was preceded in death by parents Charles Earl and Gladys Sudie Blach Saxton, and her son, Mark  Gillespie.  

Special thanks to Access Hospice Care for the help, support, care, kindness, and compassion showered on  Charlene and her daughters. 

Celebration of Life to be held Friday, April 18, 2025, at 11am in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints  ward building located at 224 Church Road, Branson, MO 65616. 

Service arrangements by Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Relief Society. 

Cremation handled by Snapp-Bearden Forsyth Chapel, Forsyth, MO.  

Interment at Ozarks Memorial Park Cemetery, Branson, MO.

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