Anabel H. Gillham

1928 - 2010

Anabel H. Gillham passed peacefully on Sunday, Nov. 7, 2010, at 82 years of age. Service: The family will observe a private funeral. Memorial service: 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 20, at Southcliff Baptist Church. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Anabel's honor to Lifetime Guarantee Ministries or a charity of choice. She was born Anabel Hoyle on May 10, 1928, in Poteau, Okla., to Marcus and Jean Hoyle. Anabel attended Poteau High School, where she excelled at her studies, was the band's drum majorette, and met Billy Lyle Gillham. After his return from serving in the Navy during World War II, Bill won Anabel's heart, and they married on Oct. 5, 1950. She received a BA in education from Northeastern State College that same year, and prior to starting a family in 1957, she was a fifth grade art teacher. She raised four sons, the second of whom, Mason David Gillham, died at age 12. In 1981, the Gillhams moved to Fort Worth, where Anabel and Bill founded Lifetime Guarantee Ministries, a grace-based approach to Christ-centered living. As co-founder, Anabel authored three books, two others with her husband, two with her son, Preston, and through videos, radio, and TV taught the message of "Christ as life" (Gal. 2:20). Anabel and Bill ministered across North America (including at the Rev. Billy Graham's retreat, The Cove) and around the world including Canada, South Korea and in 1987 behind the Iron Curtain of Nicolae Ceausescu's Romania. Until the year of her death, Anabel continued to write devotionals read daily by thousands. Survivors: Husband of 60 years, Bill; sons, Preston, William and Wade and their wives, Dianne, Kelly and Debra; grandchildren, Cate, Will and Ben; nieces, Susan Gillham and Leslie Logan King; and nephew, Chris Cummings.