Joan Schooley Parks Gillespie

January 31, 1930 - May 9, 2017
Joan Schooley Parks Gillespie

Gifts & Memorial Donations



Joan Schooley Parks Gillespie, 87, of Hendersonville, NC passed away Tuesday, May 9, 2017 at the Elizabeth House in Flat Rock, NY.

Born in Buffalo, NY, she was preceded in death by her parents, Elgin Schooley and Bessie Kelberer Schooley; her sister, Ruth Schooley Jones; and her husbands, Floyd L. Parks, Jr. and John “Jack” Gillespie.

She graduated from Bennett High School and earned an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Office Management from Bryant & Stratton College.  Joan served as an executive secretary with the US Federal Government for 35 years, retiring in 1995. She settled in Hendersonville after the passing of her husband Jack in Englewood, FL because she loved the area.  An avid patron of the arts, Joan also supported other charitable causes and loved to travel.  She was of the Lutheran faith. 

Joan is survived by her daughter, Leslie Parks Barbour, her husband, Gary, and their son, Charles Tucker Barbour; her son, Jonathan Grant Parks and his wife, Kathryn; nephew, Jeffrey Jones and great-nephew, Julian Coutts and his wife, Rebecca.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 3 pm Saturday, August 5, 2017 at Parkside Lutheran Church in Buffalo, NY.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Flat Rock Playhouse, 2661 Greenville Hwy., Flat Rock, NC 28731.

To offer online condolences, please visit shulerfuneralhome.com.  Shuler Funeral Home is assisting the family.


Purchase Flowers

Subscribe to this Obituary

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Tribute Wall

Please feel free to sign the guestbook or share a memory



Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


  • May 11, 2017
    Kathleen Bauer says:
    Leslie, Gary, Jon and Kathryn....My heart goes out to each of you. She lived her life with gusto. And her smile would brighten up the room. My fondest memories were of the house on Green Acres. She would have me spend the night, we would go to the tonawanda pool, and have amazing meals with my favorite cousins. I will treasure those memories. She truly was one in a million. Treasure the love and memories she has shared with each one of you. She has two amazing children that she was truly proud of. Love you both. Love, Kath

  • May 11, 2017
    Dorie Rorich says:
    I met your Mom shortly after she moved toLPL. WHAT A LOVELY AND VIVACIOUS LADY. Her smile was ready for all and I know she will be missed by many, especially her family. I'm so pleased to have known her.

  • May 11, 2017
    Lisa says:
    Joan was a gracious, vivacious, charming, discerning and adventurous travel companion in Key West, San Francisco and Rome. At her home in DC, around the world and at Leslie and Gary's, I was privileged to have shared family life events and holidays with this generous clan. I will truly miss Joan as I continue to share the future with her family.

  • May 11, 2017
    John and Gayle Evans says:
    Dear Leslie, Gary, Tucker, Jonathan, and Katherine, Our condolences to you all. The few times we were with Joan were delightful. We really enjoyed getting to know her. Losing your mother is very hard. Hold onto each other for support and let us know how we can help. Call us if you want to talk. Love to all, Gayle and John

  • May 12, 2017
    Sharon Ohrenstein says:
    David and I loved Joan. We loved her spirit and her joy and great sense of humor, She was always kind and caring and loved her family deeply. We also appreciated her open arms to our daughter Kathryn- Jonathan's wife. My fond memory is lighting the mother's candles at their wedding on Oquaga Lake. Also our visit to Hendersonville was special for our shared enjoyment of seeing "A Funny Thing Happened On The Way to The Forum" at the Flat Rock Theater, going to Biltmore Mansion and having a wine tasting, and listing to the Symphonic concert. Joan loved theatre and music so we had many things in common. We will miss her joyous spirit.