She received her early education while attending schools in the Houston Texas School District and graduated from Wheatley High School in 1935. Prior to graduating she met her high school sweetheart Wilburn Gilliland at a school dance, and three years later they were united in holy matrimony on June 17, 1938. In 1951, they were surprisingly blessed and welcomed the birth of their beloved son Kenneth Gilliland, and they were doting parents.