James "Paul" Gilliam, Sr.

10:30am Graveside Service Monday, January 4, 2021  Visitation will be held prior to the Graveside Service starting at 10am.

Eastside Baptist Cemetery- Pelahatchie.

James ‘Paul’ Gilliam, Sr. passed away at his home in Pelahatchie on December 31, 2020 at the age of 83.

Graveside services will be held on Monday, January 4, 2021 at Eastside Baptist Church in Pelahatchie beginning at 10:30 with a visitation at 10:00 a.m. The Rev. Christian Pruitt will be officiating with Ott and Lee Funeral Home of Morton in charge of arrangements.

Paul was born on December 23, 1937 in Itta Bena, Mississippi. He graduated high school from Lakeside High School in Lake Village, AR in 1956. He joined the U.S. Army in 1958 and continued to serve until his Honorable Discharge in May 1962. He married Betty Lou Cordell on April 1, 1961. After discharge from the Army, he and Betty make their home in Greenville, MS. For most of his married life, he worked in sales for a welding supply company. He also worked in tire sales and after moving to Pelahatchie in the late 1990’s, he worked for Lakeland Yard and Garden, a job he held until his official retirement. Paul liked to piddle, fish and hunt, watching Atlanta Braves baseball and westerns, and attending any event of any of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He loved taking his grandchildren on wagon rides and golf cart rides. Whenever the family gathered for any event, Paul, or Poppa to the kids, would have the video camera filming.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Harvey Lee, Sr and Mary Beatrice Gore Gilliam, a son, James Paul Gilliam, Jr., one brother, Joe Lee Gilliam, and a sister, Nell Johnson. He is survived by his wife of almost 60 years, Betty Lou Cordell Gilliam, a daughter Cindy Glazier (Gary) of Kosciusko, a son, Joseph Sean Gilliam (Tammy) of Pelahatchie, a daughter-in-law, Laurie Gilliam Bowman, four brothers, Billy Gilliam (Betty) of Monticello, AR, Bobby Gilliam of Redfield, AR, Harvey Gilliam Jr. (Judy) of Lake Village, AR and Cecil Gilliam, also of Lake Village; seven grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

Services provided by Ott & Lee Funeral  Home of  Morton.

Telephone: (601) 732-6571