Charles H. Gilliam
10/14/1952-09/19/2023
Charles H. Gilliam of the Beauregard Community went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Tuesday, September 19, 2023.
Charles was born in
Lexington, TN on October 14, 1952, to James Wallace and Joy Clifford Gilliam. He was preceded in death by both parents, brother Jim Gilliam, and son-in-law Brent Cobb.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Gail Cross Gilliam, son, Jeremy Gilliam (Jenny), daughter, Catherine Cobb Morrow (Jamie), brothers Denny Gilliam (Janet) and Jeff Gilliam (Tammy), sisters-in-law Cathy Gilliam and Brenda Scott, and brother-in-law Norman Cross (Barbara). Charles was blessed with eight grandchildren: Carleigh, Andrew, and Jack Gilliam, James and Matthew Cobb, step-granddaughters Meredith and Margaret Morrow, and foster grandson Dustin.
Growing up on the farm, Charles hoed, picked cotton, and learned the joys of hunting and fishing as a child.
Charles attended The University of Tennessee at Martin, where he received a B.S. in Agricultural Education. He continued his education at Virginia Tech, earning both a M.S. and Ph.D in Horticulture. After a teaching and research appointment of three years at The Ohio State University, Charles joined the faculty at Auburn University in 1980.
During his 38 years at Auburn, Charles was extremely active in both the college and horticultural industry as a whole. He served as Horticulture Department Head from 2000-2005. Charles' main areas of research were weed control and alternative substrates for nursery crops.
Charles loved Jesus and was an active member at Lakeview Baptist Church. He enjoyed sharing his faith with these acronyms: Are you being a F.R.O.G.? Fully Rely On God. Are you being a D.O.G.? Depend On God. Do you know how important C.O.F.F.E.E. is? Christ Offers Forgiveness For Everyone Everywhere.
A visitation will be held at Lakeview Baptist Church on Saturday, September 23, 2023, at 10:00AM with a memorial service to follow at 11:00AM. A private family burial will be held in
Lexington, TN.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Lakeview Baptist Church Benevolence Ministry, 1600 E. Glenn Ave., Auburn, AL 36830 or to Women's Hope Clinic, 832 Stage Rd., Auburn, AL 36830.