Nellie Faye Redd Gillespie, a.k.a. “Jane Doe”

  Nellie Faye Redd Gillespie joined her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on October 7, 1998. When Nellie was discovered, in the absence of identification, she became known to the City of Weatherford, Parker County, TX, and surrounding communities, as “Jane Doe” for the next 25+ years.

  While Nellie’s family never stopped searching for her, it was only as a result of continued prayer, and the long-time, relentless investigative efforts by the men and women of the Weatherford, Texas Police Department, Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office, a national forensic laboratory, forensic analysts, anthropologists, artists, and affiliated investigators, that “Jane Doe” was definitively identified as Nellie Faye Redd Gillespie. For this, the family is eternally grateful.

  Nellie was born July 25, 1937, in Brookhaven, MS, to Zelmer Morris Redd and Willie Wactor Redd. Raised with two brothers on a farm on the outskirts of Summit, MS, she graduated Valedictorian from Johnston Station Consolidated High School in 1955. Nellie attended the University of Southern Mississippi and earned her accounting degree in 1958. She then embarked on a career in accounting and finance through opportunities at local banks in northern Florida and served for many years at Florida State University assisting students with obtaining financial aid and serving in the office of the university comptroller.

  She loved God, her son and daughter-in-law, and doting over her two granddaughters like every proud grandmother loves to do. She enjoyed family reunions, traveling, cooking, sewing, being involved in worship and church activities, and assisting in serving anyone in need.

  Nellie is survived by her only child and son, David (Marsha) Gillespie; two beloved granddaughters, Sarah (Josh) Rice and Hunter (Ethan) Caswell; great granddaughters, Ella Grace Rice and Colbie Leigh Caswell; and two great grandsons, David James Rice and Caleb Liam Caswell. She is also survived by her brother, Gordon Redd; many nephews and nieces; and her former spouse of 23 years, Joseph “Joe” Gillespie. Nellie was preceded in death by her father, mother, and brother, Rembert Redd.

  In lieu of flowers and to honor Nellie’s memory, please consider memorial contributions in memory of Nellie Faye Redd Gillespie, to the Weatherford Police & Fire Foundation. A person may do so by either donating through the Foundation’s website at, https://wtxpfoundation.com/, or by sending a check made payable to the Weatherford Police & Fire Foundation, 614 Fort Worth Hwy, Weatherford, TX 76086. Doing so will honor and directly support the men and women of the first responder community, who protect and serve the entire Weatherford community on a daily basis.

  Nellie’s memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at Galbreaith Pickard Funeral Chapel, 913 N. Elm St., Weatherford, TX 76086. The family would be honored by the presence of any community member who chooses to attend the service. In addition, and immediately following the service, the family would welcome the opportunity to visit with community members who through their prayers, dedicated work, and continued efforts were able to bring Nellie home, and in so doing, bring peaceful closure to Nellie’s family after so many years of searching.

  “He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” – Revelation 21:4