Doris Gilliam

Elon Doris Clapp Gilliam, age 83, passed away on August 31, 2010 surrounded by her loving family, due to complications related to brain cancer. A Celebration of Her Life will be held at Shiloh United Methodist Church, 4718 Hwy 87 North, Gibsonville, on Saturday, September 4, 2010 at 11am with Rev. Bobby Bonds and Rev. David Stark officiating. A Service of Committal will follow in the church cemetery. A native of Guilford County, Doris was the daughter of the late Grady William and Annie Wagoner Clapp of Whitsett, and the wife of Emery K. Gilliam for 61 years, who survives. She completed a commercial degree at Elon College where she met her husband, and later became an active alumnus. Doris began work for the Internal Revenue Service in Greensboro, and later transferred to the Department of the Army, Ballistic Missile Defense Systems Command Field Office of the Redstone Arsenal, where she retired after 32 years service, with numerous awards for her work. She then began a 17-year career at Elon University, as the first secretary to the Athletic Director, where she enjoyed the coaching staff, student athletes, and a new-found interest in collegiate sports. Doris and Emery established an endowed scholarship fund for Elon students. Doris was brought up in the Brick United Church of Christ, and after her marriage became an active member of Shiloh United Methodist Church. She served as church secretary at Shiloh for over 20 years, was a member of the Board of Trustees, and supported her husband in his role as church treasurer for 28 years. She was a member of the Shiloh United Methodist Women, serving as treasurer for over 35 years. She served four years on the UMW District team in leadership roles, and was editor/ publisher of the "Needs and Deeds" newsletter. Doris was an active member of her community up until the final nine months of her life. Doris was Secretary of the Clapp Family Association for 28 years, whose origins date to the Clapp family arrival from Germany in the 1720's, and was actively involved in the restoration of the Old Brick Reformed Church, near Whitsett, the home church to the early Clapp settlers in Guilford County. She was a member of the Battle of Alamance Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and served on several committees. Doris was a member of the Burlington Women's Club; she and her husband also enjoyed many years as active members of the Altamahaw-Ossipee Civitan Club, one of the largest in the NC District East. Doris and Emery were ballroom dancing enthusiasts and members of the Greensboro Fiesta Club for 40 years. Doris was an active, charter member of a Canasta Club for over 52 years. Doris and Emery also enjoyed over 50 years of camping and waterskiing with their girls and many friends at Kerr Lake, Lake Norman and Lake Gaston, and in later years at Lake Cammack. Doris continued to slalom into her 60's. Doris was an avid gardener who cultivated many varieties of flowers and vegetables. Her family benefitted from her delight in cooking and creating new recipes focused on healthy nutrition, and she always set a beautiful table where everyone lingered to talk. First, and foremost, she was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend to many. She was greatly loved and will be forever missed. Survivors include her husband, Emery K. Gilliam, of the home, and 3 daughters: Janice Newsom and husband David of Greensboro, Leigh Ann Poland and husband Jack of Fredericksburg, VA, and Donna Camp and husband Mitch of Greensboro; seven grandchildren: Stephanie Newsom Cole husband Kevin, Matthew Newsom, Kristen and Ryan Poland, and Caroline, Hunter and Catherine Camp; and her great-grandson Gavin Cole. Doris is also survived by her brother Bruce Clapp Whitsett, and sisters Elsie Bonds and her husband Rev. Bobby Bonds Harrisburg, Billie Jean Fairman and husband David Nazareth, PA, Joan Clapp Greensboro and Annie June Reece and husband Wayne Whitsett. She loved her extended family of aunts and uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews and their families, and often hosted family gatherings. She cherished her many friends. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Christine Clapp Fairman and her mother-in-law, Lily Kernodle Gilliam, who lived with Doris and Emery for 35 years. The family wishes to thank the wonderful staff at Edgewood Place at The Village of Brookwood for their excellent care during her illness; Hospice / Palliative Care of Alamance-Caswell for compassionate care in her final months; and the staff of the ARMC Cancer Center and the Duke Tisch Brain Tumor Center for professional treatment. The family expresses great appreciation to Doris' friends, extended family, church family, former business associates, and to pastors at several churches for their frequent visits and cards during her illness to cheer and encourage her. Doris often reflected in her final days that she felt "fortunate" and "blessed" and was very grateful for the love and support of family and friends. The family will receive friends from 6 8 pm on Friday, September 3, 2010 at Lowe Funeral Home, 2205 South Church Street, Burlington, NC 27215. Memorial contributions may be made to Shiloh UMC, 4718 NC 87 North, Gibsonville, NC 27249, or to the Doris Clapp and Emery Gilliam Education Scholarship, PO Box 2600, Elon University, Elon, NC 27244.