Shirley Jean Gilliam

Shirley was called home on September 24, 2024, at the age of 84. She was born in Murphysboro, IL to Charles and Luvenia Collins.

She is proceeded in death by her husband of 15 years, Frederick M. Gilliam Sr., her sons Frederick M. Gilliam Jr., and Ronald Gilliam, one brother, Charles Collins, Jr., and one stepbrother, Raymond Collins.

Shirley is survived by one son, Larry (Karen) Gilliam of Grayson, GA, one daughter, Peggy (Parry) Colbert of North Augusta, South Carolina, stepbrothers, William Alexander of Florissant, MO, and Duron K. Alexander of The Colony, Texas, and grandchildren, Jordan (Mara) Gilliam, Chelsie Gilliam, Cameron Colbert, Jovan Colbert, Karina Gilliam, and Michael DeFelice, and one great-granddaughter, Sydney Rogers and one niece, Charlotte Gilliam of Belleville, Illinois.

During her lifetime she was a Certified Nurse's Assistant at St. Elizabeth's hospital in Belleville, IL from which she retired. Mema's interests were in caring for her family, especially her grandchildren. She also liked gardening and sewing. She was baptized at 1st Pentecostal Church in Lebanon, Illinois in 1996 and had a passion for reading her bible and serving the Lord.

Visitation will be from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm on Thursday, October 17th, 2024, at Lake View Funeral Home, Fairview Heights, Illinois.

Funeral will be at Noon on Thursday, October 17th, 2024, at Lake View Funeral Home, Fairview Heights, Illinois.

Burial will be in Lake View Memorial Gardens, Fairview Heights, Illinois, with repast to follow in the Lake View Funeral Home Reception Room.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Peggy Colbert to support Shirley’s grandchildren through Cash App $PeggyC35 or Pay Pal @peggycolbert.

The Gilliam and Colbert family would like to thank Mar Ka Nursing Home and Lake View Funeral and Memorial Gardens.