Eileen Ruth (Gillespie) Moran

Eileen (Gillespie) Moran, 92, passed away Monday, December 15, 2025, at WV Caring in Elkins, following a period of declining health.  She was born June 11, 1933, in Webster Springs, Webster County, West Virginia, daughter of the late James R. and Pearl J. Gillespie.  She attended the schools of Webster County, before graduating from Grafton High School with the Class of 1952, after relocating to Grafton, following her father’s railroad career.  She went to work as a glass packer at the Hazel Atlas Glass Plant, before becoming a dental hygienist, first training with Dr. Charles Bolyard, then with Dr. Frank Stevens at the WVU School of Dentistry as a teaching hygienist. This career change brought with it the opportunity to become a dental professional with the Federal Bureau of Prisons, working at the Kennedy Center in Morgantown, where she met her future husband.  She was married to the late Arvin Young “AY” Moran, at St. Paul’s Methodist Church, October 1977, and became a wife and homemaker, working with her husband on the family dairy farm, in Glenwood, Missouri, until he proceeded her in death, shortly after her return to Grafton.   She is survived by her nieces, Vicki Wolfe, of Romey, and Bobbie Sue Clark, and husband, Lawrence W. “Larry” Clark of Valley Falls.  She is additionally survived by her two great-nieces, Allison and Victor J. Iapalucci, as well as Ashlie Clark and Emre Ayaydin, all of Grafton.  She would also feel remiss were we not to acknowledge her extended family of devoted friends and neighbors, John and Michelle Moon, and Butch and Sally Pickens; her stylist, confidante and friend, Heather Watkins; as well as Sheila Larew, who took time to bring blooms to her when she could no longer travel. She is additionally survived by other nieces and nephews. Her passing at Christmas is fitting, as she always made sure it was a magical time for not just her great-nieces, but for the entire family, beautifully wrapping their gifts, decorating her signature tree with ornaments placed just so, and ensuring her peanut butter fudge was never in short supply. She was blessed later in life to become a great-great aunt to Emmett Ayaydin, and Juliet Iapalucci, for which there was always time to play Barbies or a round of “Don’t Wake the Bees.”    She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.  She will be remembered fondly for the pats she gave and treats she shared with her canine companions, Billy and Pennie. She was additionally preceded in death by her infant sister, Renalda June, and her brothers, Vincent, Harold, Charles, and Burnell Gillespie, her beloved sister Bettie Marshall, and sisters-in –law Evelyn, Ruth, and Mary Alice Gillespie and brother-in-law, Floyd “Pinky” Marshall. Eileen was a member of the Church of the Good Shepherd. She will be remembered as a fervent photographer, who preferred to spend her time behind the camera rather than in front of it, and gifted artist, painting, embroidering, and crafting. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Church of the Good Shepherd.

Family and friends will be received at Bartlett Funeral Home, 202 McGraw Ave., Grafton, WV on Thursday, December 18, 2025 from 4:00PM until 7:00PM and on Friday, December 19. 2025 from 9:00AM until 10:00AM the hour of the funeral with Reverend Matthew Dotson officiating. Interment will follow at the West Virginia National Cemetery. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.bartlettfuneralhomewv.com Bartlett Funeral Home is honored to serve the Moran family.

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