Lula Belle “Lu” Gilliam
A celebration of life service for Lula Belle “Lu” Gilliam, 77, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, June 13, 2015, at the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mrs. Gilliam died at 3:04 a.m., Wednesday, June 10, 2015, at NHC Healthcare.
She was born February 4, 1938, at Supply, Arkansas, to Claude Mae Stephens and Vergie Lee McClure Stephens. On December 8, 1956, she was married at Mountain View, Missouri, to her high school sweetheart, John Eldon Gilliam who preceded her in death on February 2, 2012. Mrs. Gilliam retired from West Plains R-7 Schools after working for thirty years as a bus driver. She had a passion for her family and spent a lot of time at her kids sporting events. Lu enjoyed playing pitch with her friends, spending time at the lake, golfing with John and traveling, especially to the beach.
She is survived by three sons, Craig Gilliam, wife, Carlissa, , Park City, Utah, Chris Gilliam, wife, Denisea, West Plains, Missouri and Curt Gilliam, wife, Kim, Nixa, Missouri; six grandchildren, Chelsea Gilliam, husband, Josh Brown, Ozark, Missouri, Kennedy and Case Gilliam, Nixa, Missouri, Michael King, Thayer, Missouri, Ryan King and wife, Kayly, Thayer, Missouri and Ashley Harris, Springfield, Missouri; great-grandchildren, Carlisle and Adeline Gilliam-Brown, Braxton, Braigon and Brennan King; two brothers, Ed Stephens, wife, Joan, Highlandville, Missouri and Ken Stephens, wife, Marsh, Merrillville, Indiana; one sister, Earline Taylor, husband, Jim, Nixa, Missouri; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Royce Fugate, wife, Rita, West Plains, Missouri, Karen Jones, husband, Roy, Gainesville, Missouri, Mick Gilliam, wife, Donna, Peace Valley, Missouri and Karen Gilliam, West Plains, Missouri; and many nieces and nephews.
Her parents, husband, two brothers, Bunk and Pete and four sisters, Neomia, Virginia, Melveta and Anita, precede her in death.
Burial will be in the Oak Lawn Cemetery Cemetery followed by a reception for friends and family in the Weatherford Room at the Opera House. Memorial Contributions may be made to Bridges Program or Ozarks Medical Center Cancer Treatment Expansion and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. The family would like to thank Dr. Morgan and his staff and the staff at NHC Healthcare for their love and care.
Paul Knight
June 11, 2015 @ 8:40 am
So sorry to hear of the passing of Lu. She and John were both very good to me when I moved to West Plains back in 1983. She was a “Special Lady” Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the Gilliam Family. God Bless.
Amber(Cozort)Redburn
June 11, 2015 @ 12:29 pm
Chris, Denise’s, and family,
We want to extend our deepest sympathy upon the loss of Lu.
She always had a smile and a hug anytime I saw her! I have a lot of fond memories of her due to you and me having gone to school together since Kindergarten. She was a Wonderful caring person who will be greatly missed by many!
May God comfort, encourage, and strengthen each one of you during this difficult time. Prayers for all. May God bless each one of you.
In Christian Love,
Tim, Amber, and Corby Redburn
Norris /Ivene Cozort
anita morris collins
June 11, 2015 @ 1:32 pm
Lu was a sweet lady and great bus driver! prayers for the family!
Becky IFarel) Cultrara
June 11, 2015 @ 1:39 pm
Mrs. Giliam was my bus driver for many years when I was a kid. Loved her to pieces! She was a sweet, caring, beautiful lady. Always greeted us kids with warm friendly hello and a big smile. Love and prayers for her family.
Lois Drumright
June 11, 2015 @ 8:28 pm
Lu was a beautiful lady. Gorden & I enjoyed playing golf with her & John. Our sympathy to her family.
Ron & Linda Hayes
June 11, 2015 @ 8:44 pm
We both worked with Lu at West Plains R-VII, and will always remember her kindness and sweet smile. She will be missed by many, many people. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Ron & Linda Hayes
Rosalea Cargill
June 12, 2015 @ 1:27 am
Lu was a very special person. She always had a big smile and kind words for everyone. Dan and I thought a lot of Lu and John, they were “salt of the earth” people, none better. John was our high school classmate, and Lu and I shared a birth month and year. Their passing is a big loss not only to your family, but to our community. We know Lu and John have had a great reunion. Rosalea Cargill
Jan Adamson
June 12, 2015 @ 5:36 pm
I did not know Mrs. Gilliam, but the picture of her caught my attention with her beautiful smile and her cheerful happy face…You can just see it in her eyes. It made me smile when I looked at her and I wanted her family to know. I am a former West Plains resident. My twin and I were born in the Christa Hogan Hospital and we grew up in West Plains — precious memories. May you have many precious memories. Jan Adamson
Sam Paris
June 12, 2015 @ 9:15 pm
Ms. Lu was a wonderful lady. Had many, many safe bus rides to and from with her in the captain’s chair (she also would ‘put the hammer’ down eastbound on Hwy 60) if it was time to get home late at night!
Sincere sympathies to Craig, Chris, Curt and their families from the Paris Family.
Bob and Nancy Bryan
June 13, 2015 @ 7:48 pm
Boys, we wanted to tell you that when we moved from Pomona to West Plains in ’76, we decided to go to the First Christian Church. When we walked in, your mom and dad greeted us. Bob of course knew both of them, but me (Nancy) being from Chicago didn’t. They were so friendly and made me so welcome, that I knew this was the church for us. Two of the most Christian people I had ever met. We felt bad that we didn’t go to your dad’s service, but it was a month after our Frank passed away and we knew we wouldn’t be able to make it through the service. However, today’s service was so uplifting, and the celebration was exactly what your mom would have loved. We will be praying for all of you. In Christian Love, Nancy
Bill and Beverly Linson
June 14, 2015 @ 7:25 pm
Gilliam family. Thinking of you at this difficult time. Your parents were special people.
Greg and Renee Stephens
June 15, 2015 @ 1:23 pm
We are so sorry for your loss. Mrs. Gilliam was a sweet lady. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family during this difficult time.
Greg and Renee Stephens
Melinda King
June 16, 2015 @ 4:23 pm
My heart goes out to you all. Lu was beyond special. While suffering her own medical issues, she kept up with me during my cancer treatment. She always talked about her kids and grandkids. I know you will miss her but I picture her and John back together and a smile comes to my face. Will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Kalama Laita
June 16, 2015 @ 9:22 pm
Condolences to the Gilliam Family . Sending our love and comfort.
Debbie (Shannon) Pettit
June 27, 2015 @ 7:55 pm
I was so sorry to hear of Lu’s passing. She was my bus driver in junior high and high school. Such a sweet person – she will be missed. Love to her family.