Sarah L. Long “Granny” Gilliam was called by our Father to her heavenly home on May 26, 2020. Known to many as “Granny” or “Ma”, she blessed her family, friends, and community with ninety-four years; a life-long Spartanburg, SC native. She was the wife of the late Alfred H. Gilliam. Mrs. Gilliam was the daughter of the late Ira D. Long, Sr. and Lottie Finley Long Rogers.

“Ma” was a graduate of Carver High School.

She was employed at The Leader Department Store, an iconic landmark department store and Belk’s affiliate on Spartanburg’s Morgan Square for forty-five years.

She served as a proud Liberty Heights Sympathy Club Member, a neighborhood organization in one of the oldest predominately African American communities in Spartanburg, and a member of The Progressive Club.

Mrs. Gilliam was a life-long member of the Mount Moriah Baptist Church of which she attended faithfully until contracting asthma many years ago.

Her memory lives on through: her two daughters, Minister Andrea G. Mathis (Jesse) of Spartanburg and Sarah L. (Alphonsa) Boyd of Rocky Mount, NC; one beloved daughter-in-law, Shirley A. Gilliam of Spartanburg, SC; twelve grandchildren, Daniel S. Gilliam, Orlando “Ike” Gilliam (Ashya), Bishop A. (Marika) Gilliam, JahLel E. Mathis, Jyemon E. Mathis, Ah’Leeyah L. Mathis, all of Spartanburg, SC, Yolanda S. (Stephon) Cain of Charleston, SC, Nelson S. Brockenborough, III of Hinesville, GA, Alphonsia A. Parker of Fayetteville, NC, Alphra (Randall) Hammons of Raeford, NC, Alphael A. Boyd of Tampa, FL and Gerren K. (Kelsey) McHam of St. Louis, MO; and twenty-one great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her son, Robert Daniel “Danny” Gilliam.

A Celebration of the Life of Sarah L. Gilliam will be held on Monday, June 1, 2020 at 12:00 noon at The John Stinson Woodward Memorial Chapel, 602 Howard St., Spartanburg, SC. Dr. B. D. Snoddy will officiate. Burial will be in the Lincoln Memorial Gardens, 2310 Cannons Campground Rd., Drayton, SC.