Betty Jean Gillespie November 29, 1926 - November 17, 2011 Bette West Gillespie, age 84 of Chattanooga, TN died on Thursday, November 17, 2011. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Glenn "Shorty" West, parents Gaither and Mabel Kyle, brother Paul Kyle and brother-in-law Buck Cranfield. She was an active member of Ridgedale Baptist Church and the Friendship Sunday School Class. She loved to travel and participate in numerous organizations such as ABWA, the Brainerd Optimist Club and the Lion's Club. Most of all she loved collecting butterfly pins. You never saw her without a butterfly on her shoulder. She is survived by her husband Elmer Gillespie, daughters Linda (Lee) McClure and Debi West Higdon, grandsons Michael Jamerson, Chad Hidgon and Todd (Chelsea) Higdon, great-grandsons Austin Jamerson and Ryder Higdon, sister Edwina Cranfield, brother-in-law Dave West, sister-in-law Nellie Kyle, stepdaughter Gail Gillespie, stepsons John (Keiko) Gillespie and Bill Gillespie, several nieces and nephews, and several step grandchildren. The family would like to extend a special thank you to all the caregivers from Home Instead and Avalon Hospice. Visitation will be held on Saturday, November 19, 2011 from 2:00 – 4:00 pm and 6:00 – 8:00 at the Chattanooga Funeral Home East Chapel. The service will be held at the funeral home on Sunday, November 20, 2011 at 1:30 PM with Dr. Bill Owens officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Friendship Sunday School Class of Ridgedale Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Avalon Hospice 7625 Hamilton Park Drive, Suite 19, Chattanooga, TN 37421 or to the Alzheimer's Association , 7625 Hamilton Park Drive, Suite 22, Chattanooga, TN 37421. Published online on November 17, 2011 courtesy of Dignity Memorial. Click here to view or add to the on line Guest Book. This Guest Book has been kept online until 11/16/2012 by Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist-East Chapel. Bette Jean Gillespie was a NARPI member. They served in the Atlanta and Chatanooga Divisions.