Elaine M Gilliard

Elaine Merritt Gilliard, age 76, of Greenville, South Carolina went to join her Lord and Savior on Monday, October 20, 2025. A constant thread in her life... Elaine and her husband of 57 years, Ben E. Gilliard Sr., believed "God worked it all out."

Together Ben and Elaine raised two children, Benny E. Gilliard Jr. and Catherine Clark. Elaine was a woman of strong constitution and to her children, there was nothing she could not do. Despite the many health challenges Elaine was dealt, it was by her faith and steadfastness that she would attack everything that did attack her. Her son, at a very young age, served as "her eyes" as she would cross Independence Boulevard in Charlotte, NC.

Elaine made countless friends throughout the years, and she was an integral part of helping her husband open Crossway Christian Bookstore in Lake Forest Shopping Center in 1977. Despite Elaine's blindness, she would use a magnifying glass to help Ben alphabetize the cards on display... even if she made a mistake, Ben would never correct her. Together, their bookstore was a ministry, not just a business. Her daughter, Catherine spent the first years of her life in the bookstore helping her Mom.

As her family grew, Elaine welcomed a daughter-in-law Lynn, and son-in-law, Derrick. Elaine was determined to walk down the aisle to witness both of her children be married.. another example of her sheer determination. Elaine enjoyed her five grandchildren (Bennett Gilliard, Ellison Gilliard, Patrick Clark, David Clark, Leah Stewart) and four great-grandchildren. Elaine was fortunate to travel many places with her family and take in the beauty around her.

Her family and friends fondly recall that Elaine never once complained. Elaine was an active member of Fellowship Greenville, especially enjoying her Sunday Senior Adult Bible Fellowship class. Elaine lived her life as a testament of God's good will.

Elaine was predeceased by her parents Herbert & Mary Merritt, and a brother Steve Merritt.

Services for Elaine will take place on Friday, October 24th at Fellowship Greenville, Auditorium #2, at 3161 SC-14, Greenville, SC 29615 with a receiving of friends at 1pm, followed by a funeral service at 2pm. Elaine will be laid to rest in Woodlawn Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to Miracle Hill Ministries of Greenville, SC at https://miraclehill.org/give/.