Inez Gilliam

Inez Virginia Partee-Gilliam was born April 2, 1913 in Salisbury, North Carolina to Earnest Eugene Partee and Survancie Lucinda Torrence. Her family relocated to Baltimore, Maryland in 1920 when Inez was only seven years old. She later returned to her birthplace in North Carolina until the age of eleven. Inez resided in Richmond, Virginia for approximately one year with her Aunt Beaulah, afterwhich she returned to Baltimore and was gainfully employed. On January 28, 1930, Inez gave birth to her only child William “Billy” Ijames. She decided to make Baltimore her new home where she met her husband-to-be, William Gilliam in March 1936. They met on Baltimore’s famous Pennsylvania Avenue at an exclusive establishment called The Plantation. On Sunday, July 4, 1936 Inez and Gilliam entered into holy matrimony. The wedding was held at the home of their best friends, Elizabeth and Richard Richardson (better Known as Bess and Boots) at 626 Carrollton Avenue. Reverend G.M. Edwards of Pennsylvania Avenue A.M.E. Zion Church officiated the wedding service where Inez was a member. The home of Bess and Boots was filled with family and friends from North Carolina, Washington, D.C., Frederick and Baltimore, Maryland. Since her father was deceased, the bride was given in marriage by her landlord, Carrie Abrams’ son Percy Abrams. The reception was first class, from the Doorman dressed in white coats and black pants to the three-tier wedding cake with the traditional Thimble Ring and Dime baked in the cake. Reverend Edwards was the recipient of the slice of cake with the Thimble. To the contrary of the cost of weddings and receptions today, in 1994, the Gilliam’s gala affair amounted to a whopping $25.00. Gilliam sent Inez to Rocky Mount, N.C. to visit his family and joined her three days later. The newlyweds returned to Baltimore after one week. Inez was employed by several hospitals in Baltimore City: University, Providence (currently Liberty Medical Center) and Franklin Square Hospitals where she received the National Gold Award. Inez was the first recipient of this prestigious award given to a hospital employee. Following the death of Pastor Edwards, they joined the Gillis Memorial Christian Community church in 1939, under Reverend Theodore C. Jackson, Sr. Inez continued to be a member of the Gillis family, where Reverend Theodore C. Jackson, Sr. Inez continued to be a member of the Gillis family, where Reverend Theodore C. Jackson, Jr. is Pastor. Inez and William enjoyed thirty-eight years of marriage until his death on November 28, 1973. Being the strong and confident woman that she was, Inez remained faithful to God as He kept her through all trials and tribulations. She was a firm believer of religion in the family. Inez was very out going, lovable, loved to tell jokes, and enjoyed making people laugh. As late as a month ago when she was in the hospital, she was telling jokes to the family and nurses. She leaves to mourn: four grandchildren, Priscilla Briley of Austile, GA, Perry Clement of Atlanta, GA, Johnsie Wilson of Coolamie, N.C. and Marie Boone of Mocksville, N.C., ten great-grandchildren, ten great-great-grandchildren; four devoted nieces, Gail, Jackie, Kim and Matoyia; five other nieces, six nephews, seventeen great-nieces, eleven great-nephews, and three sisters-in-law. She will be sorely missed.

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Inez Gilliam

April 2, 1913 - May 16, 2002