Valerie Renee Gillespie

On Thursday, March 13, 2025, God lovingly wrote the final chapter of Valerie Renee Travis-Gillespie’s incredible life story. Though departed from this world, she leaves a legacy of love, faith, resilience, and boundless generosity.

Born in Little Rock, Arkansas, on September 23, 1960, to Queen Ester Peterson and Reginald Travis Sr., Valerie was the eldest of five siblings. Though her early years were marked by adversity, childhood trauma, and hardship, she found refuge and guidance through her beloved aunt, Amanda “Jackie” Fleming, and her adopted parents, Everette and Bertha Lawson. With their love, she spent her life overcoming childhood tribulations and embraced life with strength and determination.

Valerie endured both emotional and physical hardships, including but not limited to the pain of abuse. Additionally, growing up as a lighter-skinned African American woman in the South came with its own set of challenges, forcing her to navigate identity struggles and societal expectations. However, despite these difficulties, she grew into a woman of immense strength, resilience, and grace, never allowing her past to define her future.

Education was a lifelong journey for her. She completed grammar school and some high school, later earning her GED. Though she did not complete college, she was a lifelong learner, constantly seeking knowledge and pursuing certifications that reflected her deep desire to serve others.

Valerie's heart was devoted to helping those in need. If she walked into a room, everyone knew it! She worked in retail and human services for most of her life, dedicating herself to lifting up the less fortunate. She had a heart of pure gold—always willing to give her last to a stranger; she ensured no one around her ever felt alone or forgotten.

In her youth, she was full of life, loving to sing, dance, and celebrate with friends and family. At the age of 26, she moved to Chicago, Illinois, with her two young children, Lenorris Edward Hughes and Shana Howard-Finner. The big city welcomed “Miss Thang” with open arms, and she quickly became a pillar in her community. Alongside her childhood sweetheart, Mikal Muhammad, she actively engaged in politics and community service, embodying the spirit of advocacy and action.

Later, she married Kariem Muhammad, and together, they had three beautiful children: Kyle Lawson Travis-Hughes, Kellee Amanda Travis-Hughes, and Kameron Marc Muhammad. Though Valerie and Kariem later parted ways, she remained steadfast in her commitment to faith and family.

Eventually, she returned to Arkansas, where she built a life with her second husband, James Gillespie. Together, they raised her three youngest children alongside her daughter, Shana. She continued her passion for service, working as a Direct Support Professional (DSP). This is where she found her ministry in helping the underserved. After 15 years of dedicated service, she retired the same year she experienced the profound loss of her beloved James.

Seeking peace and a new beginning, she moved to Murphysboro, Illinois, to be closer to her eldest son. There, she found companionship and adventure with her childhood crush and new love, Charles Jones. Together, they shared a love for animals and traveling, exploring the world side by side. It was during this time that she fulfilled a lifelong dream—becoming a published author. Her book, The Butterfly Changes: One Girl’s Journey to Find Love and Family, was released in 2014, offering inspiration and hope to others. She also pursued her passion for baking, launching her business, Cakes by Valerie, LLC.

Valerie had a deep appreciation for art, beauty, and elegance. She adored fine clothing, exquisite jewelry, luxurious fragrances—her favorite being White Diamonds by Elizabeth Taylor—and, most of all, Paris, France. Traveling to the City of Light and seeing the Eiffel Tower in person was one of the greatest moments of her life.

She loved simple joys, including her ever-growing collection of refrigerator magnets, each holding a memory or special meaning. She also had a passion for planting flowers and tending to them with great care. She planted all kinds, but her favorite was the Dumb Cane (Dieffenbachia) flower, which she nurtured with love. Painting and the arts were also prominent pastimes, allowing her to express herself creatively and find peace through every brushstroke. In passing down these creative and explorative traits to her children and grandchildren, she often repeated her favorite phrase with a knowing smile: "Your Ganny taught you that!” or “You get that from your Momma [Ganny].” A saying that embodied the wisdom and love carried on through generations.

Music and writing were the soundtracks of her journey. Valerie lived through songs and lyrics, and when she sang, her voice carried the warmth of an angel. Her taste in music was as bold as she was, her favorite artists being, first and foremost, Prince—explaining her lifelong love for all things purple—followed by Whitney Houston and, lastly, Michael Jackson. (Honorable mention: Babyface) What impeccable taste in music she had!

On the weekend of her last brother’s passing, Harvey Travis, on February 16th, 2025, at 8 AM, she rededicated her life to her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, along with her eldest son and daughter-in-law, Robin Hughes.

"And he arose, rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, ‘Peace, be still.’ The wind ceased, and there was a great calm." – Mark 4:39 (KJV)

(The Butterfly Changes)

This moment of faith and devotion was a powerful testament to her unwavering belief in God’s love and grace. She did not know this would be her final confession of her faith.

Valerie loved deeply, and in return, she was loved fiercely. Her greatest joy was her children—five extraordinary individuals who have gone on to change the world in their own ways and carry her legacy forward.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Queen Ester O’Neal, Reginald Travis Sr.; aunt and uncle; Amanda “Jackie” Fleming and Thomas” Uncle Tom” Fleming her three brothers, Harvey Travis, Mark Travis, and Reginald Travis Jr.; her grandson, Evangelo “Vangie” Renell Travis-Dixon; her brothers-in-law, Calvin Nichols Sr., and Otis Shavers; and lastly, her beloved husband, James Gillespie.

She leaves behind a loving family to cherish her memory: Her adopted parents and siblings, (Everette and Bertha Lawson), and their children (Johnathan, Erick, and James Lawson) Her devoted partner: (Charles Jones), and their cherished fur babies (Sapphire, Ollie, Bud, Molly, Tuxedo, Samson, Sassy, Pharaoh, and Nicki) Her only sister: Lisa Travis-Nichols, and her nephew, Calvin Nichols (Along with a host of other nieces and nephews) Her beloved children: Lenorris Edward Hughes (Wife: Robin Shenae Hughes), Shana Nikole Howard-Finner (Husband: Vernon Anton Finner), Kyle Lawson Travis-Hughes, Kellee Amanda Travis-Hughes (Fur Baby ZOLA), and Kameron Marc Muhammad Her adored grandchildren: Lenorris Andre Edward Hughes, Lelani “Wei” Renee Ann Hughes-Long (Grand kitten: Emery Theory “Binx” Hughes), Leliyan Nikole Levette Hughes, Leo James Maurice Hughes- (Her Daughter in prior: Wendy Qianta Hughes), and Symphani Sanaa-Nikole Finner: Lastly a host for friends and cousins.

Valerie’s love was boundless, her faith unwavering, and her presence unforgettable. Her journey was one of transformation, resilience, and an unshakable belief in the power of love.

Rest in Power, Valerie Renee Travis-Gillespie. (The Butterfly Changes and the strength of her beautiful wings carry her to the Highest Heavens)

"Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things are passed away. Behold: all things become anew." – 2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV)

Final Arrangements were Lovingly Entrusted to Southern Cremation and Burial Services of Murphysboro, Illinois.