Carol Anne McClanahan Gillespie

Michael & Scott Gillespie 1988

She attended Ohio Wesleyan University and Ohio State University. She was a member of Delta Delta Delta Sorority at both schools. She graduated from the OSU College of Dentistry with a Doctor of Dental Surgery Degree in December, 1974, one of two women in a class of 160. She married fellow dental student Thomas E. Gillespie of Zanesville, Ohio on June 9, 1973, at St. Joseph Cathedral, Columbus, Ohio. They were in private practice together until their divorce in October, 1989.

She practiced with her father, Dr. Bert L. McClanahan from 1990 until his retirement in 1996.

Her son Scott Matthew Gillespie was born April 14, 1979 and killed May 29, 1988. Her second son Michael David Gillespie was born July 29, 1986 and placed in her arms August 8, 1986.

She continues to live and practice in Columbus, recently building a new house. She is a member of St. Peter Catholic Church, where she served 2 terms as president of Parish Council and 4 years as chair of the Stewardship Commission. She continues to serve on that Commission and as a Eucharistic Minister and adult altar server. She enjoys scuba diving, photography and traveling.

In 2016 she sold her dental practice and building and semi retired to practicing 2 days/week. For 52 years the office on High Street was the only place she ever had a job. She started working for her Dad in 1966 when she was 16 learning to assist, then after graduating from dental school worked 43 years as a dentist. Her Dad, Dr. McClanahan, started the practice in 1948. She finished in 2018 so the practice ran for 70 years, something she is very proud of. Many patients only had her or her Father as their dentist. Three families she personally worked on 4 generations of their family.

Her son, Michael and Jessica Lynn Wilder married October 19, 2017 in Savannah, Georgia. He and Carol did a great Mother/Son dance that started out slow then went funky and finished with a waltz to Celtic music. He dipped Mom and didn’t drop her (under threat of being out of the will!) She also became GiGi to Justin, Jessica’s son.

Since officially retiring she has travelled more and been able to spend more time at Michael’s in Savannah. So far she has traveled to 6 of the 7 continents, lacking only Antarctica. Still doing lots of things at Church and enjoying a more leisurely pace, chores, gym, lunch with friends. Highly recommend the retirement thing.

The best thing to happen in 2020 was the birth of Michael and Jessica’s first son, Matthew James. James was her father’s name and Matthew was Scotty’s middle name. He arrived 5 weeks early but since getting out of the NICU and coming home he has thrived. GiGi doesn’t have an umbrella like Mary Poppins and can’t fly but is one awesome nanny.

Children of Carol Anne McClanahan:

H1 Scott Matthew Gillespie, born April 14, 1979, died May 29, 1988.

H2 Michael David Gillespie, born July 29, 1986.

Carol Anne McClanahan Gillespie & Michael David Gillespie May 1, 2010 - Carol's 60th Birthday!	Sari, India October 2019

Jessica, Michael, Carol & Justin October 19, 2017	Carol and Matthew Christmas Day 2020	Carol and Matthew January 2021