Rachel Gilliam

Rachel Lavern Gilliam was born on August 9, 1926, to R.V. “Blackie” and Edna Davis in Emory, TX. Their only child, Rachel 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 4 children and a house full of love for 64 years. Rachel was a manager at Festival Shoes in Pleasant Grove as well as a homemaker, but ultimately her passions and talents were in using her hands & indulging her creativity. She was an avid crafter (crocheting, sewing & painting), loved to garden, spoil her grandchildren at every chance she got, made the best chocolate pie known to man, the family historian & an active member of Emory Baptist Church.

Rachel fought hard for 8 years against dementia. She won the battle on Easter Sunday, April 17, 2022, victoriously seeing the face of Jesus and finally reuniting with those she loved who had passed before. She left this earth surrounded by her family at the age of 95.

She is survived by her brother-in-law Jack Gilliam & wife Mary; Children: Gary Gilliam and wife Nancy, Carol McClure, Pam Yates and husband Woody, & Keith Gilliam; Grandchildren: Michelle Clowers, Melissa Blair, Holly McClung, Erin McClure, Amy Campbell, Ashley Yates, Andrew Yates, Heather Copeland, Justin Gilliam & Ryan Gilliam as well as 16 great grandchildren, 6 great-great-grandchildren & numerous nieces and nephews.

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

A visitation will be held on April 22nd from 6-8pm at Wilson-Orwosky Chapel in Emory. Funeral services will be held at Emory Baptist Church April 23rd at 1pm with interment at Smyrna Cemetery.

We look forward to the day that we can see her smiling face again and to see her whole, healthy and well by the feet of Jesus.