Mary was born in Ackerman, MS to the late Mattie Ballard Gilliam and James Russell Gilliam, Sr. on January 23, 1930. She graduated from Ackerman High School and attended nursing school for one year. Mary worked as a nurse for Dr. Giffin for several years, but is best remembered as Dr. J. E. Calloway’s nurse for 25+ years. She loved Calvary and worked many years in the nursery and was a member of the Women’s Missionary Union. Many years after retirement, she and Deedye took great pride in cleaning the church for 5 years. She loved cooking for her family and friends who were sick. She was best known for her homemade yeast rolls. She loved to garden, sew, quilt and crochet, but her favorite pastime was spending time with her family. This spanned the lives of her children, grandchildren and even to her great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Mattie Gilliam, father, James Russell Gilliam, Sr., brothers, James Russell , Jr. and Dewitt Gilliam and son-in-law, Cooper Hailey. She is survived by the love of her life for almost 63 years, Deedye Metts, 3 daughters – Mary Ann Hailey of Collinsville, Martha Jane Perkins (Wayne)of Columbus, Margaret Davis (Jr.) of Kosciusko and son, Jimmy Metts (Janie) of Franklin, TN; 9 grandchildren – Randal Miller(Erin), Ryan Miller (Jacki), Leah Polk (Zach), Kristie Hogue (Ben), Chad Perkins, Susan Jaudon (Trent), Hal Davis (Megan), Mattie Metts and Hunter Metts; and 9 great grand children – Emmi Miller, Hutch Miller, Toler Hogue, Watson Hogue, Mary Hazel Hogue, Brittany Jaudon, Brianna Jaudon, Benjamin Davis and Logan Davis.
Pallbearers will be her grandsons – Randal Miller, Ryan Miller, Hal Davis, Chad Perkins, Hunter Metts and Ben Hogue. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be given to Calvary Baptist Church Cemetery Fund.