Shirley Laverne Salo Gilliam

On the morning of Wednesday, January 3, 2024, Shirley Laverne Salo Gilliam, 88, of Old Fort, went to be with the Lord at Mountain Ridge Health and Wellness.

Shirley was born in Houghton County MI. on March 09, 1935 to the late Swande Salo and Katherine Olson Kenny. She is also preceded in death by her husband, Chester “Bruce” Gilliam, Sr.

Shirley was a proud member of Cherry Springs Baptist Church in Old Fort. She worked at the Marion Library and enjoyed reading. But most of all she loved children. Much of her time was spent helping to watch and babysitting those children. Her pets Leto and Midnight loved her and will miss her greatly.

Left to cherish her memory are her children, Wanda Calderin, Nancy Garrigus (David), Katherine Holloway, Mary Hecker (Clark) and Chester Gilliam, Jr. (Alicia); her siblings, Johanna Axford, Steve Salo (Denise), Arlene Kenney, and Helen Baker; eleven grandchildren, Spenser Roberts, Daniel Calderin, Star Wilson, Eric Hecker, Paul Hecker, Clarence Hecker, Kaylynn Crow, Nick Matter, Matthew Matter, Nancy Gilliam, and Jacob Gilliam; and five great grandchildren, Sam Wilson, Skylar Wilson, Seanna Wilson, Thatcher Matter, and Phoenix Matter.

A memorial service will be held at Cherry Springs Baptist Church on Saturday, January 13, 2024 at 3:00 pm. The family will receive friends from 2:00 until 3:00 prior to the service.