Funeral services for Ms. Barbara H. Gilliard, 66, of 1578 Mt. Olive Road, Holly Hill, SC, will be held 12:00 p.m., Sunday, September 4, 2022, at Simmons Funeral Home and Crematory Chapel, Orangeburg with interment to follow in the Chapel Hill Baptist Church Cemetery, Santee, SC. Rev. Dr. D.L. Grant is officiating.

Barbara Hilliard Gilliard, with ticket in hand, boarded her flight for eternal life on Wednesday, August 31, 2022, at the Regional Medical Center, Orangeburg, SC.

She was born June 13, 1956, in Washington, DC to the late Charlie and Martha L. Hilliard.

She accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her personal Savior and was baptized September 1974, under the leadership of the late Rev. P. L. Welfare and served on the Usher’s Ministry and Christian Aide Society for several years.

Barbara was educated in the public schools of Orangeburg County and was a graduated with honors from Roberts High School in 1974. She went on to further her education at Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College, where she received her Associate’s Degree in 1976.

Barbara was employed by South Carolina State University for 44 years. She loved her job and was passionate about SCSU! To the students, she became “Mother Gilliard” or “Auntie Gilliard.” She retired as a Circulation Supervisor in 2021.

She enjoyed life to the fullest and loved the Pittsburgh Steelers, Roberts High School class of 1974, and being with her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

On June 9, 1986, she was united in marriage to Nathaniel Gilliard of Holly Hill, SC.

She leaves to cherish her beautiful memory: three sons: Troy Jamal Hilliard of Holly Hill, SC, Tyron Gilliard of Georgia and Ghovanti Gilliard of Columbia, SC; four grandchildren: Travey Jones of Greenville, SC; Zion and Ian Hilliard of Moncks Corner, SC, and Sanaii Gilliard of Columbia, SC; two loving and dedicated sisters: Edith (Wease) Hilliard of the home and Clara Jacques of Holly Hill, SC; four brothers: Charlie (Martha) Hilliard of Santee, SC, Raymond (Barbara) Hilliard, Kenneth (Margaret) Hilliard and Gregory Hilliard all of Holly Hill, SC; two adopted daughters, Evangelist Monique Hilliard of New Jersey and Ishirel Hilliard of Florence, SC; one adopted son, Leon Hilliard of Danbury, CT; nephews: Travon Jacques and NyTrell Washington, who affectionately called her “Ms. Chancellor, Sister Gal”; nieces: Myeshia (Kendall) Saxon and Nashay Hilliard; special sisters: Jacquline (Cleve) Cordes of Holly Hill, SC and Debra Bryant of Holly Hill, SC; and a host of nieces, nephews and other loving relatives and dear friends.

Visitation will be held Saturday, September 3, 2022 from 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m at Simmons Funeral Home of Santee, 8824 Old #6 Hwy, Santee, SC.

Family and friends may visit the residence of her sister, Ms. Clara Jacques, 1560 Mt. Olive Road, Holly Hill, SC. Friends may also call Simmons Funeral Home and Crematory of Orangeburg, SC.

Please adhere to all COVID-19 precautions and masks are required during visitation and funeral services.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.simmonsfuneralhome.com