Gloria May Gilliam of Dunkirk, Maryland, passed away peacefully on January 26, 2014, surrounded by her loving family.

She was the daughter of Thomas George and Rose May (Pierce) Ashen. She was born in Washington, DC on May 5, 1931 and was the first generation American citizen.

For over 58 years, she was married to Richard Gilliam, who passed away in 2009. They lived in Washington, DC until moving to Prince Georges County, Maryland in 1959. In 2009, they moved to Indianhead, Maryland and to Dunkirk in 2013. In Dunkirk, she was one of four generations living and celebrating life together.

Gloria was very devoted to her family and love spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She also was a member of the Delmarva Ceramic Club and a longtime volunteer of Doctors Hospital. Some of her other many interests were crafts and collecting beautiful porcelain.

Gloria was the beloved wife of the late Richard Gilliam and the loving mother of Richard W. Gilliam and Carolyn Tomlinson and her husband, Jim. She was the grandmother of Lyndee Waldbauer and her husband, Rick and Danny Tomlinson and his wife, Taylor. She was the great-grandmother of Richard, Blake, Zachary, Christian, Caleb, Carson and Madison.

She is predeceased by her parents, Thomas and Rose Ashen and brother, Ronald Ashen.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Dunkirk VFD, Dunkirk, MD.

Arrangements provided by Lee Funeral Home.