Shirley Ann Gazaway Gilliland of Buck Island Drive died April 23, 2022, at the age of 85. She was born in Springville, Alabama, and grew up primarily in the Boaz area before marrying Ralph E. Gilliland of Sardis and traveling the world as a military family member, finally settling in Guntersville in 1968. She is a graduate of Sardis High School. Shirley and Ralph owned and operated Gilliland’s Carpets and Floorcoverings in Guntersville for over 30 years after Ralph retired from the Army.
Shirley loved gardening and sewing and became an avid quilter. She loved to plan, sew, and quilt with her sister Kay and sister-in-law Chris as well as going to quilt shows and quilt retreats. But most of all Shirley loved being Grammy to her two granddaughters, Mary Beth and Carol Ann. Her greatest joy in life came from spending time with them and doing things with and for them.
Shirley is survived by daughter Rebecca Ann Tait, granddaughters Mary Elizabeth Farrell and Carol Ann Haun, great-grandchildren Jensen Haun, Elinor Farrell, and Baker Haun, sisters Linda Kay Ledbetter and Jan McClendon, and brothers James R. Gazaway, Billy Ray Gazaway, Phillip R. Gazaway, and Anthony Gazaway. She is predeceased by her husband of 56 years SGT (ret) Ralph Earl Gilliland, a daughter Terry Lynn Gilliland, her parents Arvie and Andrew Gazaway, a sister Marie Pannell, and brothers William Nix Gazaway, Donald Wayne Gazaway, Bobby Joe Gazaway, and Ralph Henry Gazaway.
A graveside service and burial for Shirley will be held at the Sardis Baptist Church cemetery on Thursday, May 5, 2022, at 1:00 PM. Mrs. Lennie Carroll of The Sand Valley Assembly of God will speak with Carr Funeral Home of Guntersville officiating.
