Role model, ahead of her time, strong, gentle, hero, leader, teacher, wife, mother, and grandmother, are all words used to describe Bea Gilliard, who departed this earthly life on Saturday, June 11, 2022, at the age of 102. Bea was born June 9, 1920, in Moncks Corner, SC. Her parents were Zechariah and Clara Johnson Reid. In 1940 she graduated from Avery Normal Institute, Charleston, SC's first secondary school for African Americans, where she served as the captain of the girls' basketball team. She received her degree from Morris College in Sumter, SC.

In 1942 Bea married Lee Gilliard from Oakley, SC, a member of the U.S. Navy, and the son of George M. Gilliard and Daisy McKelvey. To this union were born: *Begonia, *Bertram, Jacqueline, *Sheila Gay, Clara, Veronica, and Michael. She was adored and cherished as a mother and wife.
As a Navy wife, Bea moved from SC to New York and to Key West, FL. While in Key West, she taught at St. Francis Xavier Catholic School, and served as the president of the Navy Wives Club, where she led charitable efforts, and the March of Dimes.

In 1959, the family moved to Jacksonville, FL, where she continued to courageously provide leadership, service to God, her family and the community. As a teacher for 25 years at St. Pius Catholic School she focused, and instilled quality education, academics, ethics, character and service to God. Her students often said, "she believed in me, she taught me to read and write, I am what I am today because of her,
she was my favorite teachers." Deeply rooted in her Catholic faith, Bea served as Director of Religious Education Emeritus at the Church
of the Crucifixion Catholic Church and led and taught Sunday school/ Confraternity of Christian Doctrine for more than 45 years. She served as a member of the church's Lector Ministry and the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. She took communion to the sick and shut in members of her church. As a member of the Interfaith Council and a representative at the Catholic Diocesan level, she shared her Faith. As a community volunteer, Bea served on the board of directors at the Mary Singleton Center and the Jacksonville Community Council, Inc. She was an advocate for the rights of those in need, particularly the elderly. She was also a member of The Peter Claver, Inc., Ladies Auxiliary. She became a member of the Vintage Players, a theatrical troupe of local seniors who join forces to put on Bits and Pieces, an assortment of skits, and monologues. In 2013, she was first runner up in the Ms. Senior Jacksonville pageant. In 2014, Bea entered amateur night at the Ritz Theatre and won 3 rd place in
the grand finals. In 2015, Bea performed in multiple episodes of the play, Something Miraculous and performed with the Pilot Club's Tales of the City. In 2016, Jacksonville, FL's Mayor's Commission on The Status of Women recognized Bea for her historic contributions to empowering women. She is commemorated in a poster in a city historic building.

Bea will be remembered for her love of teaching, service to God, love of family, community, meals and sound advice. She leaves many memories and legacies to cherish her life including her 7 children*Begonia Gilliard Collier (*Ervin), *Bertram Gilliard Jacquline Rosier (Alcindor Sr.), *Shelia Gay Barber(Wayne), Clara Stuart (Robert), Veronica Gilliard-Baker (Greg), Michael Gilliard; 17 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren, 6 great great grandchildren, and a host of relatives and friends, who loved and respected her. Bea will be lovingly remembered, missed, and not forgotten.