Pearl Gilliam

PEARL GILLIAM was born in Greensville County, Virginia, on January 24, 1927, to the late Willie and Lillie Lifsey. Pearl, the ninth of eleven children, was raised in Skippers, VA, and was educated in the Greensville County, Virginia School System. Pearl accepted the Lord as her Savior at an early age. She was baptized and became a member of the Antioch Missionary Baptist Church of Skippers, VA. Pearl married Cecil Lorenzo Gilliam in 1946 and from that union, eight children, Cecil Lomax, Timothy Bernard (deceased), Charles Alvin, Diana, Carolyn, Patricia Maxine, Michael, and Laforest Sr. (deceased) were born. Pearl and Lorenzo started a family in the farming community of Skippers, VA, where they learned the value of demanding work and strong Christian values. In 1947, the couple, along with their first born, Cecil Lomax, relocated to Cleveland, OH, where their second child, Timothy Bernard, was born. After residing in Cleveland for over one year, they returned to residing in Skippers, VA, where Cecil Lorenzo could help his father with farming duties while Pearl assisted with maintaining the household and the raising of their newly born children. Soon, the family relocated to Baltimore, MD, which gave them better opportunities for employment and was not too far from family members who also relocated to Baltimore or remained in Skippers, VA. Additionally, Baltimore provided better provisions for raising a family. The family attended and became members of Community Gospel Mission, in Turner’s Station, a suburb of Baltimore (now Community Baptist Church of Walbrook). Pearl and Cecil Lorenzo were founding members of the church and Cecil Lorenzo was one of the first Deacons of the church while Pearl later became a Deaconess. Years later, Pearl served on the Pastoral Search Committee, following the death of the former Pastor. Pearl became a Stay-at-Home Mother, until their youngest child, Laforest, began to attend school. She then found employment as a Nurse’s Assistant at Johns Hopkins Hospital, where she was employed for more than 28 years until her retirement in 1989. While still employed, in 1966, Pearl became a widow as her husband, Cecil Lorenzo, was killed in an automobile accident. Pearl had six of eight children still living at home when her husband’s life tragically ended. Through much prayer and determination, Pearl was able to raise the children through their completion of High School, and some of the children remained at home while they attended College. Pearl was named, “Mother of the Church” at Community Baptist Church of Walbrook for being a faithful and dedicated member and mentor to many women in the Church. She was a Missionary, visiting many church members and friends that lived in the local community for many years. PRESIDING Rev. Nathaniel L. Barr, Jr. Pastor, Community Baptist Church of Walbrook PROCESSIONAL Minister, Family & Friends CONGREGATIONAL HYMN Rev. Nathaniel L. Barr, Jr. “The Lord Will Make a Way Somehow” OLD TESTAMENT SCRIPTURE READING Job 1:21 Keisha Gilliam NEW TESTAMENT SCRIPTURE READING 1 Corinthians 15:50-58 Bryna C. Forson PRAYER Rev. Warren B. Zimmerman MUSICAL SELECTION Cynthia Reneé WORDS OF REFLECTION AND TRIBUTE Donald Grant Jr. Keisha Gilliam Diana Watson ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND RESOLUTION Ruth H. Milliken MUSICAL SELECTION Cynthia Reneé OBITUARY Christina J. Grant EULOGY Rev. Nathaniel L. Barr, Jr. BENEDICTION RECESSIONAL I’M FREE Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free, I’m following the path God laid for me. I took His hand when I heard Him call, I turned my back and left it all. I could not stay another day, To laugh, to love, to work or play; Tasks left undone must stay that way, I found that place at the close of day. If my parting has left a void, Then fill it with remembered joy. A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss, Ah, yes, these things I too will miss. Be not burdened with times of sorrow, I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow. My life’s been full, I savored much, Good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch. Perhaps my time seemed all too brief, Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief. Lift up your heart and share with me, God wanted me now, He set me free. Obituary Order of Service She faithfully attended the same church for over 70 years until her health would not allow her to attend on a regular basis. Pearl lived a comfortable life and enjoyed her family members, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, who visited her often. She loved shopping and was in a habit of preparing meals for visitors to her home. After a lengthy illness, Pearl was quietly called home to her final resting place to be with the Lord. Preceding her in death are her husband, Cecil Lorenzo, Sr.; sons, Laforest, Sr., and Timothy Bernard, Sr.; grandsons, Timothy Gilliam, Jr., and Daniel Smith; great grandsons, Myron Martin, and Trevor Gilliam; and son-inlaw, Donald Grant, Sr. Pearl leaves to cherish her memory, three sons, Cecil Lomax Gilliam (Knoxville, TN) (Janice), Charles Alvin Gilliam (York, PA), Michael Gilliam (Bowie, MD); three daughters, Diana Watson (Laurel, MD), Carolyn Grant (Ellicott City, MD), Patricia Gordon (Baltimore, MD) (Garry); 16 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren; one presumed adopted son, Ulysses White (Bowie, MD); one sister, (Ella Ruth Hawthorne), three sisters-in-law, (Florence Lifsey, Pauline Wright, and Gladys Gilliam), a host of nephews, nieces and other relatives and friends.

Tributes

Pearl Gilliam

January 24, 1927 - March 23, 2022