Lydia Melton Gilliam

1921-2017

Lydia Melton Gilliam, 95, of Stanford, KY passed away Wednesday, September 6, 2017 at Landmark Of Lancaster in Lancaster, KY. She was born October 7, 1921 in Laurel County, KY, a daughter of the late Lewis and Roetta Karr Melton.

 In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Walter Gilliam; four brothers, Tom, Willie, Fred & Laney; three sisters; Winnie, Nancy & Georgia; three grandchildren, Jay, Lydia, & Mike; and one great-grandchild, Josh. 

Known as Grannie to all who knew her, she was a member of the Neal’s Creek United Methodist Church until its closing and then became a member of the Hebron Lakeside Church. She was employed by Corning Glass Works in Danville for more than 20 years. She was faithful to her church, her job & her family as long as her health permitted. She loved traveling and visited Hawaii, Mexico, many European countries, the Holy Land, and often traveled with local groups. 

Grannie is survived by four sons: Boyd (Linda) Gilliam of Stanford; Pete (Barbara) Gilliam of Somerset; Don (Sheree) Gilliam of Stanford; & Dannie (Bonita) Gilliam of Stanford; four daughters: Jean (Herbie C.) Tillett of Stanford, Peggy (Jack) Hatfield of Amelia, OH, Etta (Roger) Meek of Stanford, & Mary (Ray) Middleton of Stanford; seventeen grandchildren; Cassie, Fred, Robert, Mark, Will, Shannon, Brandon, Shawn, Kevin, Jamie, Jason, Alyssa, Ashley, Jenny, Sara, Amy & Jacob; thirty great-grandchildren; and fifteen great-great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Hayward Gilliam of Big Stone Gap, VA, numerous nieces and nephews, and a host of family & friends to mourn her passing. 

Visitation will be Sunday, September 10, 2017 from 5-8 pm at Spurlin Funeral Home Chapel, Stanford. Funeral service will be 11 am Monday, September 11, 2017 at the funeral home with Pastors Robert Camenisch and Jeff Bramley officiating. Burial will follow at Buffalo Springs Cemetery in Stanford. 

Casket bearers will be: Freddie Von Linger, Robert Gilliam, Will Hatfield, Brandon Meek, Shawn Gilliam, Jamie Middleton, and Jacob Gilliam. Honorary bearers will be her grandchildren, Cassie Bottoms, Mark Gilliam, Shannon Fuqua, Kevin Gilliam, Jason Middleton, Alyssa Gilliam, Ashley Gilliam Miller, Jenny Jones, Sara Wages, and Amy Gilliam. 

Following the services at the cemetery, there will be a dinner provided by the members of New Beginnings United Methodist Church and the members of Hebron Lakeside Church at New Beginnings United Methodist Church in Stanford.