Willy Carolyn Smith Gilliam

Obituary For Willy Carolyn Smith Gilliam

Willy Carolyn Gilliam, a resident of Pacolet, SC died December 29, 2022 in Spartanburg, SC. Born in Pacolet, SC, she was the youngest daughter of Colossie Linelle Gregory Smith and Walter Smith.

Both parents preceded her in death. At 13 she became a resident of New York City for forty-five years where she was well-known, beloved, respected and admired in her Harlem neighborhood. Growing up she lived with her sister, Ida McCoy,at 84 Bradhurst Avenue — this address became the Northern hub of the Smith family. Mrs. Gilliam attended The City College of New York in its early years of becoming co-ed; a major feat by an African American woman in the 1950’s.

She enjoyed a distinguished career in accounting, working at IBM, Drexel Burnham Lambert and the Internal Revenue Service. Her expertise in her field made her indispensable and she took great pride in her career. She loved her family, reading, good conversation, World events, lively music, and Sudoku. Having never met a stranger within minutes she enchanted people by sharing a smile with a smile, information and life lessons.

She was extremely passionate about her New York sport teams. Even so, she never forgot her southern roots. She frequently visited her loved ones in South Carolina, eventually returning to Pacolet in 2002. There, she lived out her life contentedly with her husband John Willie Gilliam Jr. children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She loved her family.

Survivors include: her children, Linda Martin, Carolyn (Paula) Privette, Jonique Gilliam, Garnell (Gill) Gilliam, Gregory Hamilton, Gia Hamilton, Leah Brown, Garnell (Gilly) Williams and many other grandchildren, great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. In addition, there are many nieces and nephews who remember her fondly.

Memorial Services will be held Saturday 1/14/23 at 1pm at J. W. Woodard Funeral Home Chapel.

In lieu of floral arrangements the Family requests donations be made to the American Cancer Society.