Deacon Emmit L Gilliam

Deacon Emmit Lemearl. Gilliam, a beloved son of the late Deacon Isiah and Eliza Lott Gilliam and the late Brother Oscar Thomas. Born on October 22,1931 in Saluda, SC Emmit departed this life on Thursday. June 24, 2021 at the home of his daughter, Sharon Gilliam at 112 Twisted Hill Court in Saluda,S.C.  He was united in Holy Matrimony to the late Deaconess Ethelrene Butler, to this union God blessed them with eleven children. He departed this life on Thursday, June 24, 2021, at the home of his daughter, Sharon Gilliam at 112 Twisted Hill Court, Saluda, South Carolina.

At an early age he joined the Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church in Saluda, South Carolina. He served as a Trustee, Deacon, Usher, and was a faithful member of the Senior Choir. His love for his church will live on long after his death. 

He received his education in the public schools of Saluda County, South Carolina. He, like his Savior, was an upholstery and refinisher. His works graced many homes in Saluda. He was known throughout the county for his faithful work.

Deacon Gilliam was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Rene, and two (2) siblings: Sister Ethel Jones and Mary Ethel Gilliam, and his grandson Xavier Dontrel Gantt. 

He leaves to cherish his memories his five (5) sons and six (6) daughters; Welton (Brenda) Gilliam-Johnston, SC; Clinton (Debra) Gilliam-Saluda, SC; Stanley (Zenobia) Gilliam-Columbus, Georgia, Emmit (Sherry) Gilliam-Columbia, SC; Robert Gilliam-Saluda, SC; Eliza (Freeland) White-Columbia, SC; Julia (James) Graham, Sr.-Suitland, Maryland; Brenda (Henry) Gilliam-Saluda, SC; Sharon Gilliam, Ethel Gantt, and Daphne Gilliam all of Saluda, SC; twenty four grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren; three sisters: Bennie Mae Reeder, Shirley (Edward) Kinard of Saluda, SC., and Minnie Lee (Willie) Coleman, one brother; Floyd (Wanda) Gilliam of Leesville, SC, sister in-law Rosie Lee Lang (Bailey) , brother in-law Alton Griffin, aunts Eliza Lott, Annie Pearl Lott, and Johnnie Mae Butler, a faithful cousin caregiver sister Betty Johnson, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and many sorrowing friends.

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