Loretta Holt Gilliam August 19, 1941 – October 15, 2022 Loretta Georgia Holt Gilliam was born on August 19, 1941, in Nashville, Tennessee to the late William Isaac Holt, and Florindia Holt Holt (a double Holt). Her parents were a part of the “Great Migration” in the 1940’s, and relocated from Pulaski, Tennessee to Detroit, Michigan. Loretta graduated from Central High School in Detroit in 1959, and went on to matriculate at Eastern Michigan University for her undergraduate studies and Central Michigan University for her graduate studies. Loretta married the love of her life, Joel Thomas Gilliam, in 1966, and two daughters were born from this union: Michelle Rene’ Gilliam and Staci Nicole Gilliam. Loretta was preceded in death by her parents, stepfather Booker T. Johnson, stepmother Marinda Holt, brother Carlos Dunn, and her loving husband of 49 years, Joel. She leaves to cherish her memories her daughters Michelle Gilliam Jordan (Clayton), and Staci Gilliam Sanders (Maurice), Granddaughter Lauren Nicole Jordan, Grandsons Donnie and Dathan Sanders, and a host of relatives, church members, neighbors, Sorority Sisters, Link Sisters and friends from far and wide. Funeral Mass will be 12pm Monday, October 24th at the Annunciation of the Lord Catholic Church in Decatur, Alabama. Interment will be 11am Tuesday, October 25th at the Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo, Alabama. The Gilliam Family will receive guests 6pm to 7pm today, October 23rd at the Royal Chapel of Memories. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in the name “Loretta Holt Gilliam” to St. Ann Educational Foundation c/o Annunciation of the Lord Catholic Church at 256-353-2667.
