December 11, 2024
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Rachel Laverne Gilliam

1926 – 2022

Funeral services for Rachel Laverne Gilliam, 95, will be held on Saturday, April 23, at 1:00 p.m., at Emory Baptist Church. Interment will follow at Smyrna Cemetery.

Mrs. Gilliam died on April 17, 2022, surrounded by her family. She was born on August 9, 1926, to R.V. “Blackie” and Edna Davis in Emory. She was an only child, but she grew up in and around Emory surrounded by a multitude of cousins. While living in Houston, she met the love of her life, Willie Winsted Gilliam, Jr. They moved to Dallas where they had four  children. They were married for 64 years. Mrs. Gilliam was a manager at Festival Shoes in Pleasant Grove and she was a homemaker, but her passion and talents were using her hands and indulging in her creativity. She was an avid crafter (crocheting, sewing and painting), loved to garden, and spoil her grandchildren. She made the best chocolate pie known to man, was the family historian and she was an active member of Emory Baptist Church.

Mrs. Gilliam is survived by her brother-in-law, Jack Gilliam and wife Mary; children, Gary Gilliam and wife Nancy, Carol McClure, Pam Yates and husband Woody and Keith Gilliam; grandchildren, Michelle Clowers, Melissa Blair, Holly McClung, Erin McClure, Amy Campbell, Ashley Yates, Andrew Yates, Heather Copeland, Justin Gilliam and Ryan Gilliam; 16 great-grandchildren, six great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; son-in-law, Danny McClure; and great-granddaughter, Maddie Yates.

Arrangements are under the direction of Wilson-Orwosky Funeral Home.