Anita Kay Gillaspey

Anita Kay Gillaspey (née Cooper), 69, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, August 4, 2025, at TriStar NorthCrest Medical Center in Springfield, Tennessee, following a brief illness.

Anita was born on January 11, 1956, in Ypsilanti, Michigan. She spent much of her youth around Antioch, Illinois, where she graduated from North Community High School in 1974 and began forging her own path with independence and determination. She earned her cosmetology license in 1980 and worked in the beauty industry before later transitioning into the field of information technology, continuing her education at Christian Brothers University (BS, 1995; Telecommunications and Information Systems Management). Her journey reflected both her adaptability and her lifelong commitment to learning and personal growth.

Anita and her husband, Bill, met through their shared love of biking and skiing. They married in 2002 at the Peace Chapel in Memphis, Tennessee, where they were both living at the time. Anita was baptized at the Peace Chapel and remained rooted in her faith throughout her life. In recent years, Anita, together with her husband, found fellowship and community with their church family at Cedar Ridge Community of Christ in Nashville.

She is survived by her loving husband, William (Bill) Gillaspey; her son, David Wynn; her stepson, Daniel Baron and his wife, Fox ; her stepdaughter, Lauren Gillaspey; her niece, Joy Fritsch and her partner, David; her nephew, Eddie Fritsch, and his wife, Shanna, and their daughters, Logan and Kennedy; her half-siblings, Teena Mason, Thomas Jeffrey Mason, and Thomas Joseph Mason Jr.; and her two beloved dogs, Hershey and Shadow. She was preceded in death by her sister, Donna Fritsch (née Cooper); her brothers, Phillip Larry Cooper and Richard Gary Cooper; her half-sister, Peggy Jean Powers (née Mason); and her parents, Harold Cooper and Jean Bass (née Key), formerly Jean Cooper.

Anita had a deep love of music and could often be found humming or singing along to her favorite songs. She found joy in the beauty of flowers in bloom, baking for those she loved, and a good hand of poker. In her younger years, she chased adventure with a zealous enthusiasm, not just on mountain bike trails or snowy ski slopes, but high above them too. As an avid hang glider, Anita embraced the wind with courage and grace, soaring through the sky with a fearless heart.

She will be remembered for her warmth, her playful spirit, and the unmistakable sparkle in her eyes.

A celebration of Anita’s life will be held at a later date, with details to be shared once available. The family requests no flowers or donations at this time and simply asks that you hold her in your thoughts and prayers. Anita will be deeply missed, but her spirit, warmth, and song will live on in the hearts of those who loved her.

Arrangements proudly handled by West Nashville and Bellevue’s only family owned and operated funeral home, Compassion Funeral and Cremation Services, 6949 Charlotte Pike, Suite 104, Nashville, TN 37209.  615-857-9955.