Shirley Welch Gilliam

Shirley Welch Gilliam, age 88, went home to be with the Lord on October 9, 2023.  She was a native of Guilford County and the wife of the late J. Maynard Gilliam, Jr. for 64 years.

Shirley retired from Pass & Seymore in Whitsett and was a member of Christian Bible Fellowship in Gibsonville.  She volunteered with Meals on Wheels and was a member of AIA (Aging in Action).  Shirley worked for the Board of Elections and also volunteered at Alamance Regional Hospital as a Pink Lady.  She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

Survivors include daughters, Debbie Duffey and husband Lloyd “Cricket” of Haw River, Tracey Mendolera and husband Sal of Gibsonville, and a son, Victor Gilliam and wife Nancy of Denton; 4 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; and 3 step-grandchildren; sister, Jean Andrews of Graham; and brother, Carl Welch of Gibsonville.

She was preceded in death by husband, J. Maynard Gilliam, Jr.; parents, Roy and Mintie Whitsell Welch; brothers, Winford Welch, Arthur Welch, and William P. Welch; sisters, Aleene Welch Abee, Louise Somers, and Margaret Hicks; and grandson, R. Stephen Collier.

A service to celebrate Shirley’s life will be held on Friday, October 13, 2023 at 2 PM at Christian Bible Fellowship with Pastor Brian Hill officiating.  The burial will follow at Alamance Memorial Park.  The family will receive friends from 5 – 7 PM on Thursday, October 12, 2023 at Lowe Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Christian Bible Fellowship, 1290 Springwood Church Road, Gibsonville, NC  27249.