Virginia Lee Gilliam

Mrs. Virginia Lee Davis "Ginny" Gilliam of Harrisburg, Ark. passed into the arms of Jesus Wednesday, May 2, 2018, at the NEA Baptist Hospital in Jonesboro, at the age of 88. She was born September 14, 1929 in Bay, Arkansas, the daughter of the late John Newton Davis and Clemmie Alice Riddle Davis. Ginny was a 1947 graduate of Bay High School and married Raymond Gilliam on August 4, 1951. They enjoyed 35 years before his death in 1986. She was a faithful member of the Harrisburg Church of Christ and an early member of the Mother's Club in Harrisburg. Ginny made delicious homemade bread and was famous for saying, "I feel like a million dollars!" She was an excellent mathematician and organizer. She worked for the Harrisburg Public Schools as middle school secretary for almost 3 decades. Her great love was her family and she was blessed with a large one. She is survived by her son, Craig Gilliam of Little Rock, four daughters, Nechia Whittingham (Steve) of Harrisburg, Leah Price (Val), Maria Daniel (Stan) and Myrna French (Stacy), all of Jonesboro. Her treasured grandchildren include Raymond Gilliam, Matthew Gilliam, Brian Whittingham (Kirsten), Grant Whittingham (Kristy), Katie Light (Dave), Mollie Price-Blackshear (Nick), Abbie Price, Meredith Copeland (Drew), Madison Allison (Josh), Gilliam French and Ashton French. She was also blessed with great grandchildren, Abel Gilliam, Ava Belle Whittingham, Embry Whittingham, Silas Whittingham, Nate Sawyer Whittingham, Noah Light, Davis Copeland, Sam Copeland, Rory Allison and Ellis Allison. Virginia had many special nieces and nephews that she loved. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Coach Raymond Gilliam, four brothers, Roy Davis, Ray Davis, Howard Davis and John Newton "J.N." Davis, and six sisters, Lorene Shoffner, Jane Smith, Lucille Neyman, Louise Purcell, Velma Martin and Ruby Mink. A celebration of her life was held Sunday afternoon, May 6th, 2 p.m., at the Gregg-Weston Funeral Home Chapel in Harrisburg with Mr. Kevin Beard and Mr. Mark Weston officiating. Interment followed in Jonesboro Memorial Park Cemetery. Pallbearers included Hilton Hurdle, Gary Hefner, Milas Rudolph, Carmack Sanders, Wayne Mardis and Ray Blanchard. Honorary pallbearers included Mary Lea Thomas, Barbara McMillian, Bonnie Smith, Shelly Hunter, Woody Wilson, Glenn Holmes, William Dale Davis, Cathy Spiegel, Lois Hunter, Ralph Hunter, Patty McPherson and Bonnie Wallace. Those wishing to send memorials are asked to consider St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.greggwestonfh.com.