The Diary of Stephanie Joy Miller Gilliam

God has laid her down to sleep and left us with her love to keep. When she awakes in heaven on high, Angels will be standing by to welcome her and show her the way where other dear ones happily stay. Her earthly visit is now done; she sleeps in peace. The hourglass, with its sands of time, has slowly but surely spilled its contents, and with the passing of the last sand, went the life of our loved one, Stephanie. This day has been coming ever since life began for her on November 13, 1953, in Memphis, Tennessee, when her Heavenly Father entrusted her into the hands of her parents. She was the second-born child of the late Melvin P. Miller and Gertie Bogard Miller Dillard Clifton.

Stephanie was reared in the Orange Mound Community and attended Melrose Elementary, Hanley Elementary, and Melrose High School, where she was a 1971 Graduate. Upon graduating from Melrose, she furthered her education by attending Allura’s Beauty School, where she graduated and obtained her Cosmetology License. She also attended Shelby State Community College (Now Southwest Tennessee Community College), where she received an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Secondary Education and a Second Associate of Applied Science Degree in Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counseling. She was trained and brought up in the fear of the Lord, leading her to confess hope in Christ at an early age at Beulah Baptist Church under the pastorate of the late Dr. W. C. Holmes.

Later she moved her membership to Robinhood Lane Baptist Church under the pastorate of the late Rev. Eugene Cochran, where she has remained a faithful member under now the pastorate of Dr. David Ricks until her health began to fail.

She was employed by MCI Worldcom until its closing and later worked at St. Jude ALSAC’s Call Center until her retirement.

In the midst of many doors being open unto her, on March 13, 1976, she was united in holy matrimony to the late Roy Bernard Gilliam until his untimely death on September 25, 1978.

Although her marriage was short-lived, they were blessed with one daughter, Tedra Sharisse. She had a lot of fond memories that she wants her family to remember. Always hold on to the laughter that you shared, and remember that you will be caught up together in the clouds to meet the Lord. Therefore, to her family and friends, comfort one another with these words. “Until we meet again!!”

On Friday, June 30, 2023, the Heavenly Angels came down and gave Stephanie her well-earned wings. She took flight to be with her Heavenly Father, where she will have eternal life.

Left to celebrate memories of her life are her daughter, Tedra Sharisse Gilliam-Wooden; her mother, Gertie Miller Dillard Clifton; her sisters, Linda Miller Mills, Yolanda Dillard, Melanie Nicole Miller, and Valerie Clifton Jefferies (Gene); her brothers, Bernard Miller and Igentroy Stewart (Anita), son-in-law, Patrick O. Wooden, Sr., her uncle, Abdul Maaik Buluu (Niaimah), her aunts, Cora L. Bogard and, three grandchildren, Paris Chanelle Wooden, Patrick O. Wooden, Jr.; DeMario G. Wooden, three sisters-in-law, Phyllis Payne, Betty Williams, and Julia Robinson; one brother-in-law, William Gilliam and a host of cousins, and friends.