Annie Gilliam

Annie Mae Helms Gilliam died February 3, 2011, while in the loving care of the staff of Plantation Estates in Matthews, NC, where she had resided since 1993. Having been born in the Fairview community in northern Union County on February 26, 1908, she passed away just three weeks shy of her 103rd birthday. Annie was the daughter of Buren and Cornelia Crowell Helms. She was preceded in death by her husband, Curtis B. Gilliam, in 1983; sister, Frances Price; brothers, Payne, Mebane, and Ira Helms. She is survived by various nieces and nephews. Upon graduation from Unionville High School, Annie attended Appalachian Normal School, which is now Appalachian State University, receiving her teaching certificate in 1928. A 42-year teaching career included classroom assignments in Union County, as well as in the North Carolina towns of Wallace, New Bern, and Raleigh. Throughout her life she enjoyed extensive travel which included trips all over the United States, Canada, and the British Isles, and much of Europe. As a dedicated educator, she was active in NCAE, NEA, and local and state classroom teacher organizations. Annie also took pride in her membership in the Alpha Omicron Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma International. While living in Raleigh, Annie was an active member of West Raleigh Presbyterian Church, having served that congregation as both a Deacon and an Elder. After moving to Plantation Estates, she became a member of Sardis Presbyterian. A graveside service will be held at 4:00 p.m., Monday, Feb. 7, at Bethlehem Presbyterian Church Cemetery. A remembrance service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 8, in the Plantation Estates Chapel, 733 Plantation Estates Drive, Matthews. The family requests memorials be made to Annie’s childhood church, Bethlehem Presbyterian, 7608 Concord Hwy. Monroe, NC 28110 or Hospice of Charlotte, 1420 East 7th Street, Charlotte, NC 28204.