Alvin Blackwell Gilliam

His Legacy Those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us every day, Unseen, unheard, but always near. Still loved, still missed and very dear. Alvin Blackwell Gilliam, 65, of North Chesterfield, departed this life Monday, August 10, 2015. He was born in Richmond, Virginia on October 22, 1949 to the Viola J. Gilliam and the late Alvin Gilliam. He was preceded in death by his two sisters, Delores Rich and Ruth Martin, and a very special loving friend, LaVerne “LoVerne” Thompson. He grew up in the Jackson Ward and Southside neighborhoods in a family where he was loved. Alvin attended the Richmond Public School System, until he decided to continued his education and moved to Washington State to be in the Job Corps. There he received his General Educational Development (GED) Certificate. He also was a great baseball player for Calhoun and Blackwell Recreation Center. Alvin was a member of the hottest musical group in Richmond during that time, “Antwans”. Upon returning to Richmond, he enlisted into the United States where he served his country proud and received a purple heart and an honorable discharge in 1970. On October 14, 2006, he became the husband of his best friend of 25 years, Thomasine Tucker. He was baptized at Great Mt. Moriah Baptist Church at an earlier age where he received his spiritual guidance. He was taught earlier on... “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” Micah 6:8 (KJV). Often, Alvin would fellowship with his wife at Providence Baptist Church where she was a member. Alvin always looked forward to seeing his grandchildren. He loved them all and adored his “beanie-head” buddies. He was a grateful person for what God had done for him. He knew that God gave him everything. Alvin was thankful for waking up for just one more day. He was formally employed by the Defense Supply Center - Richmond (DSCR) known as Bellwood, as a material handler/forklift operator, until he retired. Alvin was a man of many talents, a “jack-of-all-trades” and a master of many. He was really the master of ducktape. If it was broken, he would repair it (no matter what) with ducktape. He found solace in the fellowship with his best friends and their many converations they shared together. He leaves to cherish his memory a loving and devoted wife, Thomasine M. Gilliam; two daughters, Loreen Gilliam-Thompson and Whitley Mayo; five sons, Alvin Randolph (Sharon), Damien Gilliam, James S. Tucker, Christopher Arrington and Ezekiel Thompson; 12 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; mother, Viola J. Gilliam; mother-in-law, Eleanor Jackson; sister-in-law, Terry Gates (Melvin); brother-in-law, Shawn Jackson and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and loving best friends, Alonzo “Munk” Jeffries, James Newbille, Willie Jeffries and Rochelle Sutton (Pat). Your memory is our keepsake from which we will never part. God has you in His keeping, and we will always have you our my heart. We love you PaPa Your Beanie-Head Buddies, “Always”

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Alvin Blackwell Gilliam

October 22, 1949 - August 10, 2015