Phyllis Gilland Reneau

Mrs. Phyllis Gilland Reneau, of Ellijay, peacefully passed away Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at the age of 89.

She was born Nov. 27, 1934, to James Commodore Gilland and Alice Pauline Headrick in Townsend, Tenn. She is preceded in death by husband of 55 years, Wilford Henderson Reneau, of Ellijay; and sister, June Faye Rogers, of Maryville, Tenn.

She is survived by daughter, Kimberly Reneau Chester; son-in-law, Robert Lee Chester, of Ellijay; son, Barry Wilford Reneau; daughter-in-law, Deirdre Gallagher Reneau, of Greensboro; grandchildren, Jennifer, Katie, Megan, Jack, Charles, Henry and Mae-Mae; great-grandchildren, Cooper, Madelyn, Caylen, Brooklyn, Addilyn, Jadon, Bryson, Cannon and Palmer; sister, Evelyn Gilland Howard; brother-in-law, Don Howard, of Ellijay Georgia; brother, James Commodore Gilland Jr.; and sister-in-law, Linda Gilland.

After graduating from University of Tennessee with a degree in home economics in 1955, she began a teaching career that spanned over 30 years. She then went on to work for the State of Tennessee Disability Services Department where she was awarded the Associate Commissioners Citation and the Quality Assurance Reviewer of the Year awards. She retired from the state of Tennessee in 1996.

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 19, 2024, at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church with the Rev. Dan Rosser officiating.

Pallbearers were Barry Reneau, Charles Reneau, Henry Reneau, Buddy Reneau, Bob Chester, Eric Mansfield, Cooper Mansfield and Kyle Taylor.

Donations can be made to Wears Valley Ranch (wvr.org) or mailed to Wears Valley Ranch, 100 One Fine Place, Sevierville, TN 37862.

Wears Valley Ranch provides Christian family homes, education and counseling to children in crisis situations.

Condolences can be made at www.bernhardtfh.com. Bernhardt Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.