Obituary of Evangelist Iantha Isabella Gilliam

Iantha Isabella (Smith) Gilliam was born January 20, 1947 to the late Liston Young, Sr. and Christine Isabella Smith in Tappahannock, VA. She married John R.S. Gilliam, Jr., the father of her two daughters in 1969. She was born again at the age of 9 years old. Her church membership started at Mr. Olivet U.A.M.E. Church, Penns Grove, NJ, for years under the late Dr. Rev. Mary Spencer. She received a call to preach in June 1991 under Rev. John Adams. She was a volunteer chaplain, doing her intern at the Old Essington. Evangelist Gilliam started a Community Soup Ministry with the theme “Food for the Body and the Soul” on Saturdays at the community Mission on Walnut Street, Penns Grove. Evangelist Gilliam enjoyed fellowshipping with Bishop Freddie Washington, his Wife, Rev. Dr. Pamela, and Church Family whenever possible, attending worship services, tent meetings and community outreach services. Evangelist Gilliam attended Second Baptist Church, Pedricktown, NJ for 5 years, where Dr. Edward W. Dorn was Pastor. She exercised her gift as an Evangelist, was co-director for Baptist Training Union, and Chairperson for the Minister’s Power and Praise services, sang with the voices of Hope, and assisted (Ron Silva’s Choir) on some outside singing arrangements. She was Chairperson for the Prison’s Ministry, where a team made up of eight volunteers from various churches including Chaplain Rev. Essington, to hold Sunday morning church services at the Salem County Correction Facility. She also attended Living Faith Christian Center, Cherry Hill for 1 year, where Pastor Lamont and Constance McLean were Pastors, and participated in their Outreach Ministry. In July 1998, while her Brother, Liston Jr. teasingly called her “Church Hopper”, she joined Bethany Baptist Church at the Abundant Harvest Plaza in Lindenwold, NJ where Bishop David G. Evans is pastor. She volunteered as Coordinator in Pastoral Care for the Discipleship class New Members, Evangelical Counselor, Sunday School teacher, Secretary for Destiny Center Ministers in Training, member of Timothy Evangelism, and Message of Hope (both outreach ministries). Her adult education began 1965 after graduating from Penns Grove High School, Penns Grove, NJ. She took classes from Peirce Junior college- Philadelphia, PA and Salem Community College- Carney's Point, NJ.; Century 21 Real Estate course Bruynell Real Estate School, Pennsville, NJ; Theology courses from Boulden Seminary in GA; Philadelphia College of Bible, Langhorne, PA; Primerica Financial Services in Haddon Heights NJ and the Destiny Center in Lindenwold, NJ. In 1965, she was employed at F.W. Sickles in Chicopee, MA. Ancho Hocking in Salem, NJ. In 1972, she joined United Engineers and Constructors, later named Raytheon Engineers and Constructors, and which was later purchased by Washington Group Intl. She worked at offices in Salem, NJ; Wilmington, DE; Princeton, NJ with most of those years working in Philadelphia, PA as Administrative Secretary, Executive Secretary and Administrative Assistant. She retired AECOM/FAA Atlantic City Airport location with 42 years of service. While working fulltime, she also worked part-time at Shelley’s Tall Girl’s shop in Deptford mall, and Primerica in Blackwood, NJ, where she obtained a NJ State Insurance License. Other memberships: She was a former board member of (S.C.O.P.E) Bridgeton, NJ Democratic Club in Carney’s Point, NJ; Planning Boards for Carney’s Point, NJ and Pedricktown, volunteer for the Juvenile Judiciary Committee; Bethany Administrative Building as a receptionist under the direction of Phillip Turner and Sandra Coleman located in Lindenwold, NJ. She was a former member of the Order of Eastern Star, Margaret A. Smith Temple of Penns Grove, NJ, and Post --- American Legion in Salem, NJ. Her Duties at Bethany Baptist was being on the Minister Board, Minister Choir, Officer of the Business Association, Timothy Evangelism Ministry, and the food drive. She was everywhere and a person you could depend on. Her desk was her home. Iantha is pre-deceased by her daughter Lynette Smith; four siblings John P., Liston Y., Gertrude Williams, and Evangelist Beola Randall. She leaves to cherish her memories her daughter Anjanette “Tubbi” Iantha Scott (Norman); son, Sean Cleveland (Michelle) five Grandchildren: Bryant Lewis Jr. (Tana) Martin Mincey Jr. (Priscilla) Antwuan Mincey, John Gilliam, Janeen Smith, 14 Great Grandchildren, two spiritual daughters; Catherine Owens and Barbara Wallace; spiritual son, Kendall Selby; godson Carl J. Washington Jr; four spiritual sisters: Rose Smith, Kenila Xavier, Olivia Cheeks, Dr. Evangelist Peggy Cleveland; her care taker Joyce Robinson, special friends, Sabrina, Doreatha, and Sandra; and two sisters-in-law, Gloria Smith and Patricia Smith. Evangelist Gilliam also leaves other family members and friends, especially her church world. Iantha Loved EVERYONE!