Marian Aline (Amos) Gilham

Marian Aline (Amos) Gilham, age 106,  was born November 14, 1913, to Claude and Monta (Stone) Amos.  She passed away peacefully in her sleep on April 24, 2020, at her grandson’s home, where she had previously lived for over sixty years as a housewife, mother, and grandmother.  She was predeceased by her parents and her four siblings: brothers Glen and Arthur (Chap) Amos, and sisters Katherine Stearman and Betty Jo Blue.  Her husband, Harvey Gilham, whom she married on December 5, 1931, and their two sons, James and Larry Gilham, also predeceased her.  Surviving are four grandchildren:  Kim (Dave) Power, Patrick (Marti) Gilham, Eric (Lori) Gilham, and Lance (Denise) Gilham.  Also surviving are her daughter-in-law, Patsy Gilham, nine great grandchildren and eight great-great grandchildren.

She lived her last five years at Amber Manor at Petersburg, where she was loved by staff and residents alike.  Before her final illness began early in 2020, she was interested in all the goings-on of her large family and everyone who lived and worked at Amber Manor.  Because she was a strong Christian and had much experience in life, she was the source for thoughtful wisdom in any situation.  She always had quiet strength and kind words to offer the people who were drawn to her.  Everyone who knew her loved her.  She was kind to and thankful for everyone, and patient when waiting was necessary.

Her legacy in the wider world is one of caring compassion and great love for her family, her church family, her friends and neighbors, and everyone else she met.  She truly was the “hands and feet of Christ.”  She was a member and energetic worker at the Otwell United Methodist Church for many, many years.  Pen cannot record the number of dishes she cooked for suppers, funerals, and celebrations there over the years, and only God can know the number of people she helped along the way.  She was a prayer warrior who would do all she could do, and pray along with it.  Afterward she was content to leave everything in God’s hands, confident that He knew what He was doing.

She was a capable and strong person, working side-by-side on the farm with her husband to build their home and farm. She is particularly remembered as a deadly menace to snakes.  She showed them no mercy when they ventured into her yard – or when she saw them anywhere else – and anything worked as a means of disposal:  a hoe, a boot, a car, or a mower.  She loved traveling to scenic spots and historic areas of the United States, and went on many trips when she retired from farming.  She lived through all the major wars and problems of the twentieth century, from World War I, through the Great Depression, World War II, and all the other conflicts after that.  She was a proud American and hosted a huge Fourth of July celebration at her home every year until she moved to assisted living just a few months before her 100th birthday.

There is not space nor ink enough to tell more about her remarkable life, but, suffice it to say, everyone who knew her will miss her dearly.  Due to the COVID 19 pandemic, there will be only a family service at this time.  However, the family hopes to hold a Celebration of Life reception in Marian’s honor at a later date.

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