Lois Gilliland

Edna “Lois” Gilliland, age 94 of Somerset, Kentucky, passed away October 29, 2021, at her home.  She was born April 21, 1927 in Pulaski County and was the daughter of the late William Ray Edwards and Hattie Beulah Phelps.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, Linville E. Gilliland, Jr., her parents, one sister Verla Mae Edwards and infant brother Jearl Edwards.  Lois is survived by one brother, Howard Edwards (Sue) of Somerset, two sisters, Olive Jeanette (O.J.) Williamson, JoAnn New (Carlos) both of Somerset, and sister-in-law Bobbie Jo Holt of Somerset: nine nieces and nephews: Melodye Burkett (Bill) of Lexington, Wendi Conley (Gary) of Somerset, Lorri Horn (Troy) of Lexington, Phylisty Edwards-Conway (Todd) of North Carolina, Julena Edwards of Somerset, Jack New (Melissa) of Somerset, Dustin New (Stephanie) of Somerset, Jill Dagley (Jody) of Somerset, Suzanne Kidd of Somerset, and Curtis Gilliland, Jr. of Somerset.

She was the favorite aunt of eighteen great nieces and nephews: Andrea, Erin, Courtney, Amber, Aubrey, Chris, Brittany, Sydney, Jarred, Aislynn, Jed, Jeriah, Jaala, Caleb, Brevin, Briley, Jordan, and Jasmine.

Lois was a member of the class of 1944 at Shopville High School.  She married her high school sweetheart Linville E. Gilliland, Jr. April 26, 1944 when he came home from Camp Chaffee Arkansas on weekend pass.

She was employed as a seamstress at the Palm Beach Plant and later as an instructional aide at Hopkins Elementary School.  She and her husband loved traveling with friends to the Holy Land, Mexico, Alaska, Brazil, Caribbean Saaba, and Denmark.  Together they enjoyed wintering and fishing at Lake Okeechobee, Florida bringing home ample crappie and bluegill filets to last until returning in the fall.

She enjoyed University of Kentucky basketball and cooking (especially desserts).  The family looked forward to her mouth-watering yeast rolls and delicious pies and cakes.  Her extensive collection of hand-written recipes from friends and family members is complete with donors’ names attached.  When not cooking, her pastime was appliqueing and quilting a large number of lovely handmade quilts to pass on to the family as a lasting memory of her creativity.

Having become a dedicated believer in Christ at an early age, she was a faithful member of New Enterprise Baptist Church as long as her health permitted.

The visitation will be at Lake Cumberland Funeral Home on Wednesday, November 3, 2021 from 11:00am until 1:00pm.  The funeral will follow on Wednesday at 1:00pm with Brother Jim McKinney officiating.  Burial will be in Lakeside Memorial Gardens.  Pallbearers will be Jack New, Dustin New, Gary Conley, Chris Conley, Bill Burkett, and Desi Frei.

The family requests that expressions of sympathy be made to Hospice of Lake Cumberland or the Gideon Bible Memorial Fund in memory of Lois Gilliland.