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Essie GUILLIAMS Obituary
Essie was the mother of 11 children, eight still surviving. She was preceded in death by her daughters, Anita Muriel Guilliams, Joyce Marie Martin; and an infant son.
Essie is survived by five daughters and three sons, Hansford "Hank" Guilliams, Sylvia G. Hedden (Lyle), E. Lane Guilliams (Geraldine), Brenda G. Pickett (Neil), Wanda G. Bishop (Tommy), Linda G. Perdue (David), Barry Guilliams (Rhonda), and Renee Beasley (Mike).
She had 10 brothers and sisters, all deceased; sisters, Minnie, Annie, Ora "Pat", Ida and Violet; and brothers, Wesley, Sam, Tom, Stanley and Despain "Dee". She had a special niece, Delano Webb, whom she considered a sister.
She had 25 grandchildren, two deceased, Christian "Chris" Stallings and Melissa Guilliams.
Surviving grandchildren are Jenell, Della, Christine, Dawn, Charles "Chuck", Andy, Lori and Julie, John, Wanda, Joe, Randy, Lisa, Synora, Brian, Greg, Tammy, Michelle, Shane, Trad, Carmen, Colby, Joshua and Brandon.
She had 28 great-grandchildren, and five great-great- grandchildren, the youngest girl named Josephine in her honor.
She was a member of Yorkminster Baptist Church since it was established. God's most precious and treasured gift is the love of a mother. We will forever cherish the love and beauty she gave us. This beautiful, precious lady touched the hearts of everyone she met and was loved by all. She was a shining light, whose love, mercy, and grace were shown to all, no matter who you were. Her small hands held amazing strength. She will continue to stand tall beside Jesus.
A funeral service will be held at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 29, in the chapel of Amory Funeral Home, Grafton. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 30, in Walter's Family Cemetery, in Callaway, Va.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 5216, Glen Allen, VA 23058-521. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Essie GUILLIAMS
Josh Beasley
October 21, 2019
Not a day goes by I dont think about you in someway.
I sure hope I listened well to what she taught me.
Synora Dabrowski
November 4, 2010
To everyone,
We have lost one of the most humble servants for the Lord. She is with her creator now and so it is up to us, her children,grandchildren, friends, loved ones to pick up the cross and follow her example as she followed His. She taught us all in her words and deeds. A heart that overflowed with His love even at the painful end of her time in this crazy world. She did nothing with envy or vain conceit rather with humility she regarded others as more important than herself. She also left us all with a job to do-may we all walk in a manner that that is worthy of knowing Essie Guilliams. We owe her to live the way she taught. She lived for Him out loud for us all to have as an example. We need to get to the plow and start planting His seeds in the lives of others-if you check your pockets I just bet grandma put a few in there for you to plant. We are her garden-she tended it well. Let us bear fruit for her and for Him.
Praise God for a grandmother that lived for Him!
-A blessed grand-daughter
John Parker
October 29, 2010
To Randy and Family, my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Dorothy McMahon
October 29, 2010
To the Franklin Family
My thoughts and prayer are with you and your family during this difficult time. Always remember the good memories will last forever.
Terry Long
October 28, 2010
I am very sorry for your loss. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Erin Wright
October 28, 2010
We Love and Miss you Aunt Essie!
Debi Dowdy
October 28, 2010
Dear Brenda, Randy & family,
I am sorry for your loss. May God bless you and keep you in your time of need. She seemed like a lovely woman.
Thinking of you ,
Debi
Carmen Guilliams
October 28, 2010
Grandma, I will miss you dearly. You taught me how to cook, grow a garden, and showed me how to live for God. You took me to church every sunday then came home and made lunch. Even with your age I believe your spirit was never old. Thank you for setting a great example for our family. We love you and miss you.
Theresa Edwards
October 28, 2010
To the Franklin Family (especially Joseph E. Franklin and Brenda Pickett) my heart goes out to you two and your family. I loved her so much, she touched my heart and so reminded me of my grandmother. There's no doubt she was one of God's special people, and I am just blessed to have known her.
God Bless!
Theresa L. Edwards (Willougbhy Spit, VA)
Michelle Pierce
October 27, 2010
Grandma, you knew how to make everyone feel so special, I always knew how much you loved me. You were like an angel on earth and I am so glad that you were in my life. I will miss you so much but I know we will be together again in paradise.
carmen Guilliams
October 27, 2010
I will miss you dearly. You taught me how to cook, to grow a garden, and gave me a passion for flowers, you took me to church and lived a life that represented God before me. I love you, thank you for teaching me all that you did.
Thelma Martin Nicholson
October 27, 2010
I have known Mrs. Guilliams my entire life and her friendship was there in the most special way on the last visit to my Mom as she had come home from the hospital before she went to be with our Lord. Mrs. Guilliams brought some food and even though Mom didn't know she was there we knew Mom had a sweet person thinking of her. Thank you Mrs. Guilliams for caring and now you are with Mom. :)
Mr.and Mrs.Guilliams both shared their
beautiful daughter Joyce with my brother Tommy as she became his wife.
Joyce and her son Thomas are with her now.
Joyce left her daughters my beautiful nieces to carry on the caring nature of love that is in the Guilliams family. Thank you for sharing part of your life with the Martin family and others.
May all the sweet memories of love keep everyone comforted knowing we all were touched by Mrs. Guilliams and she enjoyed all the love given back to her.
Smile with the Lord.
josh beasley
October 27, 2010
Grandma you will be deeply missed by all of the people that got to know you through your long and beautiful life. We all will cherish the wonderful memories that we have of you. Even though you will be missed, I know you are happy to finally see grandpa,chris, and the rest of our family and make them a big plate of your home cookin. I love you.
Debra Hawkins
October 27, 2010
To the Frankln Family (especially my dear friend Randy), We can't know why some things happen...but we can know that love and beautiful memories outlast the pain of grief. And we can know that there's a place inside the heart where love lives always...and where nothing beautiful can ever be forgotten.Those we cherish will always live on in memory. God bless you and your family during this difficult time.
Sheila & Dick Rausch
October 27, 2010
A Reminiscence
YES, thou art gone! and never more
Thy sunny smile shall gladden me;
But I may pass the old church door,
And pace the floor that covers thee.
May stand upon the cold, damp stone,
And think that, frozen, lies below
The lightest heart that I have known,
The kindest I shall ever know.
Yet, though I cannot see thee more,
'Tis still a comfort to have seen;
And though thy transient life is o'er,
'Tis sweet to think that thou hast been;
To think a soul so near divine,
Within a form so angel fair,
United to a heart like thine,
Has gladdened once our humble sphere.
By Anne Bronte
The Poetry Foundation
Crystal Franklin
October 27, 2010
Love and Miss you Grandma. I am so very grateful to have ever known a woman as great as yourself. This holiday season will be especially difficult for me. I know that you are resting peacefully now though, and that is what keeps a smile on my face!
October 27, 2010
Dear Extended Guilliams family,
I am so very sorry to hear of Mrs. Guilliam's passing. She was always an example of true Christiantiy because she treated everyone with love and kindness. She never needed to say she was a Christian because she lived with Christ-like love every day.
I can remember in my childhood being at your house like it was my own, and Mrs. Guilliams another mother to me! She was the best cook and always provided for her family. She was the sweetest person and it saddens me greatly to know she is no longer here with her children she loved so much. I know that she is in heaven with her family and friends who have gone on before her. I know there was quite a celebration when she got there! Her rewards there will be great.
Mrs. Guilliams was the picture of the Proverbs 31 wife and mother: "Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil all the days of her life."
Your family is in my thoughts and prayers at this sad time. I hope your wonderful memories of your mother will comfort you in the days to come. Mrs. Guilliams will be greatly missed. She was a special woman who made a great impact of my life and I won't forget her.
With love,
Kim Howard Follman
John & Genny Fuller
October 27, 2010
To All the Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. You have been left with a great legacy of love and your Mom will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her. As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends. May the peace and comfort of the Lord be with you during this difficult time.
Randy Franklin
October 27, 2010
Grandma you are missed by many... Grandma always welcomed everyone with open arms and a plate of food... She was a faithful Christian who knew Jesus was her savior; however, she was a fighter too and was determined not to leave her children behind until she knew they were taken care of.
We love you so much that we will shed many tears yet we are so thankful that you are no longer in pain and are with your heavenly father and the rest of your family.
I have been blessed by your love and honored to have so many wonderful memories of you...
Stephanie Jenkins
October 27, 2010
To the Franklin Family,
Your family is in our thoughts and prayers. May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived. May God bless you in your time of need.
Randy Franklin
October 27, 2010
Randy Franklin
October 27, 2010
Randy Franklin
October 27, 2010
Randy Franklin
October 27, 2010
Randy Franklin
October 27, 2010
Randy Franklin
October 27, 2010
Randy Franklin
October 27, 2010
Randy Franklin
October 27, 2010
Randy Franklin
October 27, 2010
Grandma you are missed by many... Grandma always welcomed everyone with open arms and a plate of food... She was a fathful Christian who knew Jesus was her savior; however, she was a fighter too and was determined not to leave her children behind until she knew they were taken care of.
We love you so much that we will shed many tears yet we are so thankful that you are no longer in pain and are with your heavenly father and the rest of your family.
I have been blessed by your love and honored to have so many wonderful memories of you...
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