GORDO | Emma Ruth Gilliam, age 83, of Gordo, died June 20, 2014, at DCH Regional Medical Center. Services will be 3 p.m. Sunday, June 22, 2014, at Skelton Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Kenneth Elmore and Bro. Tony Burns officiating. Burial will follow in Greenhill Memorial Gardens with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing. Visitation will be two hours prior to service at the funeral home.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Nathan Gilliam; her son, Wayne Gilliam; her parents; three granddaughters, Teresa Sullivan, Tabitha Sullivan, and Ashley Gilliam; her great granddaughter, Hannah Booth; her son-in-law, Rayford Sullivan; and her daughter-in-law, Diane Gilliam.
Survivors are her daughters, Barbara Palacios and Gail Sullivan; her sons Dennis Gilliam and Tommy Gilliam (Tammy); her special sons, Gary Sullivan (Cindy) and Terry Sullivan (Nina); her special daughter, Robin Pate (Bobby); her daughter-in-law, Jean Gilliam; her sister, Ruby Neely; her brothers, Jimmy Brown (Dale) and Leon Brown (Phyllis); 11 grandchildren, Jessie Sullivan (Courtney), Timothy Sullivan (Christina), Erika Gilliam (Summer), Tanya Kimbrell (Nick), Tara Gilliam, Eric Gilliam, Brandi Gilliam, Michelle Wilburn, Tammy White, Monica Higgins (Chris), and Jonathan Sullivan (Erica); 25 great grandchildren, Austin Sullivan, Cody Sullivan, Skyler Sullivan, Alex Sullivan, Ryley Sullivan, Miranda Dent, Kacey Sullivan, MaKena Sullivan, Stephanie Kimbrell, Natalie Kimbrell, Ross Kimbrell, Alyssa Daniels, Daleigh Daniels, Zane Daniels, Amanda Templeton, Jodi Wilson (Josh), Madison Smith, MiKayla Carter, Jaden Carter, Allie White, Abbigail White, Jay Sullivan, Justin Sullivan, Kavin Higgins, and Taylor Higgins; her great grandchild, Haley Templeton; her special grandchildren, Nicole Sullivan and Leila Speed (Michael); her special great grandchildren, Jacob Sullivan and Baye Speed; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Gilliam was born November 30, 1930 in Pickens County to the late Jessie Brown and Ethel Bailey Brown. She attended Brown's Chapel Church of God of Prophecy and was a retired employee of Westinghouse and Gilliam's Grocery.
Mawmaw Gilliam was a very loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great grandmother. She ALWAYS wanted a house full of family with plenty of noise and laughter and she always had plenty of food to eat for anybody who walked in the door.
Pallearers will be James Plowman, Glen Wilburn, Joey Martinez, Jerry Donald Lee, Farron Pate, and Joe Sullivan.
Honorary pallbearers are Dr. Phillip Hemstreet, Jeremy Kelly C.R.N.P., Dana Hemstreet C.R.N.P. and staff, Pickens County Home Health, and friends and family from Gilliam's Grocery and Gordo Fire and Rescue.
The family suggests memorials to Gideons International, Pickens Co. Camp, P.O. Box 287, Carrolton, AL 35447.