Stella McKinney Gilliam

Stella McKinney Gilliam passed away on Tuesday, February 14, 2017 at the Woodhaven Nursing Center in Lumberton, NC. She was born on August 13, 1924 in Reidsville, NC, the daughter of Jesse David McKinney and Mary Ellen (Mamie) Somers.

Stella was the youngest of the couple's twelve children; her siblings, all of whom predeceased her, included brothers, Benjamin, Percy, William Grey, Whitt, and Emmitt McKinney; and sisters, Mamie Ola McKinney, Flora Mae McKinney, Connie Ross, Hortense Lamb, Naomi Burton, and Doris Robertson. Stella was also predeceased by her loving husband, Rev. Maurice Holt Gilliam, who died on September 16, 2013. Mrs. Gilliam was the epitome of a pastor's wife.

She was devoted to the Lord and glorified him through her voice in the many church choirs where her husband served. She was also a talented artist who loved to paint. Mrs. Gilliam will always be remembered as a loving daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. She loved the Lord and had a special gift for witnessing through her fervent faith. The family fondly remembers that each Christmas, after reading Luke 2, she would bring out a birthday cake and have the family sing "Happy Birthday" to Jesus.

Left to cherish her memory are her son, Larry Maurice Gilliam, and his wife Katrina of Whiteville, NC; her daughter, Kay Gilliam Warner of Simi Valley, CA; four grandchildren, Dr. Karen Gilliam Raiford, and her husband Neil of Brownsboro, AL, Michael Warren Gilliam of Monroe, NC, Dr. Kimberly Warner Alfano, and her husband Dr. Mark Alfano, of Ventura, CA, and Anthony Brian Warner, of Simi Valley, CA; four great-grandchildren, Benjamin Hunter Raiford, Thomas Holt Raiford, Turner Cheyney Raiford, and Isabella Camille Alfano.

Her funeral service will be conducted by Dr. Darrin Moore at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, February 23, 2017 at New Hope Baptist Church.  

Her family will receive friends 6:00 - 8:00 pm Wednesday, February 22, 2017 at Peacock Funeral Home.

Online condolences may be made at peacockfuneralhome.net.