Dortha Maxine Gilliam, 88, of Bartlett TN passed from this life to be with her savior Saturday, August 8,
2020 at her home. She was born June 18, 1932, in Holcombe Missouri to William and Gusta Wayne. She
was married in Piggot, Arkansas on September 2, 1950 to William 'Dub or Bill' Gilliam, who preceded her
in death on December 28, 2007.
Dub and Dortha moved often during their first twenty years of marriage due to his USAF career. As
they moved from Illinois to California to Arkansas to Hawaii to Wisconsin, one constant in their life was
their love for God and their involvement in their local church. After Dub's second retirement, they
moved to their dream house in Bartlett in 1993. They found a wonderful church family at The
Pentecostal Church in Memphis where Dortha remained a faithful member until her death.
Dortha's other love was her family. She often asked children and grandchildren "when are you coming
home?" despite the fact that none of her children and grandchildren had ever lived in the Bartlett area.
Her house was a great source of pleasure, but as much as Dortha loved it, it was really home when
family members were around. She often stated her wish to be able to die at home with her children
close by, which God graciously granted. She is survived by her children Michael (Joy) Gilliam of
Blairsville, Georgia; Connie (Kenneth) Mandley of Turtle Lake, WI; and Keith (Beth) Gilliam of Tarpon
Springs, Florida; six grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; and many friends and other relatives.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, one sister and one brother.
Due to the on-going health crisis, a private funeral service was held at Forest Hills Funeral Home-East
with her former Pastor, Rev. Terry Black, officiating.