Galloway
WAYCROSS — Mrs. Elon Gillis Galloway went to be with her Lord and savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, February 22 after a life well lived.
Mrs. Galloway was born on August 3, 1929, in Ware County to F.L. Smith and Luc ille Buckley Smith. She was the eldest of her parent’s five children. She attended Crawford Street, Waycross Junior high and graduated from Waresboro High School.
Mrs. Galloway began her career with Southern Bell in 1948 as a long distance operator. She continued on this path doing several jobs including Customer instructor and Associate Manager of Operator Services. She specifically enjoyed teaching young people proper phone etiquette during her time on the job. Over the years Southern Bell would become Bellsouth, and then AT&T before Elon retired in 1986 with more than 35 years of service.
Mrs. Galloway was very involved in the local community. She was a member of the Waycross Women’s Club, Golden K Kiwanis, Telephone Pioneers and Ware County Exchange Club Ladies Auxillary.
Hospice had a very special place in the heart of Mrs. Galloway. She was one of the original Volunteers for Hospice Satilla as well as the second chairperson of the Hospice Board. Her love and devotion for this cause lasted throughout her life, and she remained an active voting board member until her final days.
Mrs. Galloway was the longest standing member of Second Baptist Church. She was a very active member for many years, teaching Sunday school, singing in the choir, and working in the children’s ministry. She made some of the best peanut butter and honey sandwiches for Vacation Bible School on occasion too! Once her health declined, she began attending services on YouTube and keeping up with all the church information through the internet and many sweet visits from other church members.
Along with her parents Mrs. Galloway was also preceded in death by two husbands, Raymond Theodore Gillis and Jessie Galloway; two sons Raymond Theodore Gillis Jr, whom she lost in infancy, and Michael Harrell Gillis; and two sisters, Patricia Smith and Maxine Taylor.
Mrs. Galloway is survived by one son, Franklin Gillis (Tanya) of Waycross; daughter-in-law Betty Gillis of Waycross; stepdaughter Gayle Richardson (David) of Winston, Ga.; stepson Jess Galloway (Rhonda) of Taylor, S.C.; four grandchildren, Ray Gillis (Sarah) of Hahira, Ga., Dustin Gillis of Waycross, Dawn Gillis Griffis (Kevin) of Waycross, and Dessie Gillis of Waycross; six great grandchildren, Dalton Gillis of Waycross, Asleigh Hernandez (Jesus) of Savannah, Austin Griffis, Fiona Ramos, Victor Gillis, and Maci Gillis; two greatgreat grandchildren, Daxston Gillis and KoraLee Gillis; one sister, Cornelia Bagley; brother, Joel Smith (Cathy); as well as a close family friend. Judy Pearson.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. today (Wednesday, February 25) at Second Baptist Church. Burial will follow in Oakland Cemetery. The family will begin receiving friends at 10 a.m. at the church.
We also would like to acknowledge Ms. Sue Wells and Visiting Angels for all the care and assistance over the last few years, as well as Satilla Hospice and its caring staff. We are so grateful for the care, love and compassion they have provided to Mrs. Galloway and our family.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly request donations be made to Hospice Satilla of Waycross, or Second Baptist Church of Waycross.
“We thank the Lord for these and all other blessings. Amen Amen.”
Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online registry at www.musicfuneralhome.c om Music Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
