Jonesville, Mr. Don Flake Gilliam, age 81, passed away on Saturday, January 23, 2010 after a long battle with cancer. He was born on September 28, 1928 to Don and Myrtle Gilliam of Wilkes County. Flake was a long time member of First Baptist Church of Jonesville. He was a veteran of the Korean War and owned and operated a local Elkin grocery store, Gilliam Supply Store, in the early 1960's. Flake loved flying and was co-owner and pilot of a small airplane for several years. He served as a Jonesville Town Commissioner and was a faithful member of the Jonesville Volunteer Fire Department for many years. He was retired from Lance Foods after 23 ½ years of service. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wonderful wife Evelyn Fender Gilliam, a brother Robert Gilliam, a sister and brother-in-Law Kathleen and Glenn Pardue, a brother Rex Gilliam, and a brother-in-Law Gray Casstevens. Flake is survived by a daughter Alison Jenkins and granddaughter Caitlin Jenkins of Weaverville and a son Todd Gilliam and wife Arvilene of Jonesville, a sister Norma Casstevens of Jonesville, brother Charles Gilliam and wife Bobbie Ann of Ronda, sisters-in-Law Cora Lee Cobbler of Kernersville and Betty Burcham of Fries, VA., a brother-in-Law Lewis Fender of Fries, VA., and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday, January 26, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. in First Baptist Church of Jonesville with Rev. Roger Hensley and Rev. Charles Lethcoe officiating. Burial will follow in Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends Monday evening from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Jonesville. The family would like to extend their deepest appreciation to Kathy Johnson and Anita Abbey from Hospice and caregiver April Cothren for their care. The family requests that memorials be made to First Baptist Church of Jonesville Sanctuary Fund, Winston Road, Jonesville, NC 28642 or Mountain Valley Hospice, 688 North Bridge Street, Elkin, NC 28621. Online condolences may be made at www.elkinfuneralservice.com Elkin Funeral Service is serving the Gilliam family.
