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Linda Gilliam Obituary
Linda is survived by her beloved husband of (almost) 60 years, who she affectionately called "Harv" (we have no idea why), her son Scott, her son Todd, daughter in law Lauryn and granddaughter Peyton, her daughter Kate, her son in law James and granddaughters Emma, Sarah and Riley. She is also survived by her brother Paul Budesheim and brother in law and sister in law Randy and Sandy Gilliam, along with many beloved nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
We find peace in knowing that she has joined so many loved ones in heaven.
There are no services planned as of now as we figure things out.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Grace Boyer Butler
August 27, 2024
I was born and grew up in the DC area and went to Wallace Memorial Presbyterian Church, where Linda and I were in youth group together! We had
a common love of horses and adventure and had a tight knit group of friends
there. Prior to high school graduation, I dated Dale Bachman, Daryll's older brother, but remember Jimmy Gilliam and so many that were mentioned. I left the area to attend Berry College in North Georgia, married a Georgia boy and
am still there , having been married for 60 years. What a blessing to read of
the strong testimony that your mom maintained and the influence she was on others through the years. May all of your memories be precious!
Grace Boyer Butler
Grace Butler
October 12, 2023
Scrolling to find the names of childhood friends, up popped this beautiful picture of Linda - a friend for years when we were in church youth group at Wallace Memorial United Presbyterian. I am so sorry for your loss of such a beautiful
mother. Those mentioned as introducing her to your dad, were all friends in the late `50´s - I dated Darryl Bachman´s older brother! We had a tight knit wonderful youth group and my memory of Linda is our joint love of horses and the many excursions we enjoyed together.
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Jean Sarg
September 7, 2023
Jeannie Sarg
I know Linda only from the summers she spent in Delaware over the years. She, Sandy and I had many fun afternoons at the beach chatting, laughing and enjoying the sun. Linda, with her big smile, was always a joy to be around.
Patrick Zeuli
September 5, 2023
Linda was fun to be around. She was always smiling and the perfect person to greet people when they came to Rock Lake She cared and made a difference. She will be missed
Annette Tolle
September 5, 2023
An absolute joy working with Linda at Rock Lake. Her kindness was so apparent to everyone. She'd leave for lunch and come back with a soda fountain drink. She loved her family and the Lord and we had many conversations about both. My love and condolences to Jim and her family. Linda is with our Lord and thinking and praying for all of you. Annette Tolle
Mary McDonough
September 5, 2023
I´m so sorry for the loss of a great soul, but truly know she will continue her work on the other side!
Linda was without a doubt one of the nicest person one could meet at Rock Lake. As stated in the obituary, she wasn´t just there for the children, but also the teachers, parents, and administrators!
She will always hold a special place in my heart! Her joy and even "smelling kids heads" was a memory that was so endearing!
I loved her with all my heart and was so sad when she left Rock Lake! Rest in Peace my dear friend!
Steve McCool
September 4, 2023
The thing that will always stick with me most about Linda is that, no matter the subject matter at hand, she would always find a way to bring it all back to Jesus Christ. Whether during a lengthy long-distance telephone conversation, or while making the salad in her kitchen in Florida, Linda would find some way to squeeze the goodness of the Lord somewhere into the dialogue--even when I was too immature to hear it. (Each year, a small group of my closest friends and I would make annual excursions to the Gilliams' new Florida home--usually around the holidays--and Linda would assign me the salad-making chore at dinner, knowing even I couldn't screw that up...though I came close a few times.)
Oh sure, you could tell Linda loved her family. She was completely in love with Harv and as "tight" with Scott, Todd & Kate as any Mom could be. It was her warmth that made their home one of those rare "magnet homes"--one that just drew people in. (I've only known 2 in my life.) You couldn't visit them for one minute and leave without realizing their family was full of love--the ideal family model, with Linda its centerpiece. I can't think of anyone who didn't fall in love with them from day one.
But in between the rays of warmth that exuded from her heart, when it came down to where the "rubber hit the road", Linda was never shy about her love for the Lord above all else. And although I wasn't ready to hear it in my 20s, I heard it from her so often that it stayed with me--as if God used her to stamp His love, and the desire to love Him back, onto my own heart.
Linda was, without question, a blessing from God to all who knew her. With her, it was Jesus Christ--front & center. Now that I'm in my 60s, I can look back and say it was her love for the Lord for which I am most thankful. My family's prayers go out to the Gilliam family at this time. We love you all.
Jenn and Joe Menello
September 3, 2023
She was always so so kind to me. One of my early, funny memories is her calling Katie Gladys in the hall at Rock Lake Middle and Katie running straight to the bathroom stall in embarrassment. I thought she was anything but embarrassing. She was the embodiment of unconditional love, so beautiful and funny and busy finding beauty in others. She will always be in my heart: a true bonus mom. Our love and prayers are with your sweet family.
Karen Kaelin Hosinski
September 3, 2023
Gainsborough Rd Rockville we moved in the street in 1969 with my two girls Linda was the first person I meet she invited me in and Scott and Todd were in the kitchen. We became instant friends. Card playing, park forest pool, and Beta Sigma Phi sorority. She always made me laugh. Love and Hugs Karen Kaelin Hosinski
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