Graveside service with Military Honors for Eugene Lavonne “Gene” Gilliland, age 87, of Decatur were held Sunday, March 12, 2023, at Midway Memorial Gardens; Ronny Stutts officiated and Parkway Funeral Home directed. Guestbook available at www.parkwayfunerals.com.
Mr. Gilliland, who died Saturday, March 4, 2023, in Cullman, was born Nov. 3, 1935, in Alabama to Jessie Hurst Gilliland and Flossie Mae Hartley Gilliland. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Connie Ann Gilliland; parents; brother, Kenneth Gilliland; sister, Margerian Gilliland; and his beloved cat, Charlie. Mr. Gilliland was a dedicated patriot who loved his country and served in the United States Army for 22 years. His hobbies included playing his banjo, bankside fishing, and tending to his yard.
He is survived by four sons, George Gilliland (Desdsri), Eugene Gilliland, Jr., Andrew Gilliland, and Geoffrey Gilliland (Heather); one daughter, Tina Gilliland O’Berry; two sisters, Ruth Bates (Aubrey) and Ruby Overton (Horace); eight grandchildren, Tiffany O’Berry (Manuel Avila), Robin O’Berry, Larissa O’Berry (Robert Hargis), Christopher O’Berry, Micheal Gilliland, Mercedes Gilliland, Brian Gilliland (Sarah), and Jason Gilliland; and nine great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be provided by the United States Army; honorary pallbearers will be Micheal Gilliland, Terry Bates, Danny Overton, Dakota Overton, Bryson Fletcher, and Forrest Sears.
