Mrs. Dorothy L. Gilliam died peacefully on {date} in Portsmouth, Ohio at the age of 88.

Dorothy is survived by two sons, Jerry Michael Gilliam of Port Clinton, Ohio and Jon Charles Gilliam
of Philadelphia, PA, as well as grandchildren Joshua Michael Gilliam and Nicholas Michael Gilliam.
She is preceded in death by her husband Charles Alvin Gilliam of Minford, Ohio.

Dorothy was born on July 4th, 1931 in Minford Ohio to Linda Debo and Xavier Debo. She graduated
from Minford High School in 1948, and married Charles in {year}. After moving to Caledonia, Ohio,
Dorothy was actively involved volunteering in the community there including at the American Cancer
Society, as a Boy Scout mother giving swimming lessons, and providing computer education training
at Caledonia Elementary School. Her children remember her as an intelligent and fiercely
independent person who had overcome many hard and difficult obstacles in her life. She had a
steadfast dedication to those close to her which motivated her to become a caregiver to many friends
and family over the years. This included the long-term care she provided in her home to her own
mother, who was bedfast with rheumatoid arthritis. Over the years, Dorothy also provided care to
others in the face of deteriorating health near the end of their lives, including her mother-in-law Donna
Gilliam, her husband Charles, and her brother Russel Debo.

Dorothy was a life-long learner, and at mid-life when computers were first becoming available for
home use, she set about learning their use along with her son Jon, which launched him on his
eventual career. She loved teaching and interacting with young people, and as a volunteer computer
instructor at the local elementary school, she had an impact on many young minds. She was a
passionate amateur photographer and scrap-booker, compiling many albums of photos of the family
annotated with family history. Dorothy was also a dedicated member of the Church, and later in life
taught herself by ear how to play the piano with enough skill to play during services.

A funeral is scheduled for {time and date} at {location}. {Title} {Name} will officiate the ceremony.
All are welcome to attend and celebrate Dorothy’s life. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to
SOMC Hospice at 1805 27th Street, Portsmouth, Ohio 45662. The family would like to thank the
caregivers at SOMC Hospice as well as Jeanie Creech for their efforts and dedication.