George Gillom, Jr.

George Gillom, Jr. was born on June 24, 1956, to Ella Ree Flemons and the late George Gillom Sr. of Lafayette County, Mississippi. George professed his love and commitment to God at an early age at Providence United Methodist Church in Abbeville, Mississippi. His dedication to service while in the youth department at Providence, won George a trip through Global Ministries in the United Methodist Church. This trip afforded to be one of 19 youth, nationwide, to attend this trip to Africa. Africa was life changing for George and put a lot of things into perspective. However, he had no idea the journey, God had laid out for him. He attended and graduated from both Gordon Elementary and Lafayette High School. George attended the University of Mississippi, where he played basketball, graduated, and received a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration. George was the first from his high school to receive a four-year college scholarship to the University of Mississippi of any kind.

Upon graduation, George went on to work for Mobile Communications Corporation of America (MCCA) in accounting. He later met and married the love of his life, Wanda B. Gillom on October 6, 1979. This marriage of 43 years has a combined unity of six children: Theresa Gillom Vann, Vivian Stephens (Rodney), Melana Mack, Jessica Gillom Johnson (Deontray), Nathaniel Jerome Gillom, and Jeremey Oliver Gillom. George and Wanda would go on to join Greater Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church where he was a Cub Master in the Boys Scouts. They moved their membership to Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church and then to New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist church where George became an ordained deacon, first Sunday School Director, and first financial secretary for the church. Later in the 90s, George and his family joined Anderson United Methodist Church. As a member of Anderson, George served as the Administrative Board Chairperson, Sunday School Director, and Boys Scouts leader.

George soon became manager of Com-Nav Marine/Aviation. He became an Internal Audit Supervisor with MCCA, after seven faithful years. Within the next few years, God elevated him to become Senior Tax accountant, to manager, and then to Tax Accounting. George along with his team had several accomplishments during this time. As manager he built a cash empire for Com-Nav Marine/Aviation to help them acquire several mobile phone companies. These companies were acquired by BellSouth and are now a part of AT&T as well as Verizon Wireless. George was a "Trailblazer" in the field of tax management. He along with the team he managed created the first online tax return before anyone else with their work in Florida. This method would later be utilized by everyone. George and his team created the current tax exemption exemplar system used by Verizon to this day. George stayed a Tax Manager working for Bell South (Mobile Comm), MCI World Comm, and survived the WorldComm scandal before retiring with Verizon Corporate in 2013. George worked 9 years at Baptist Memorial Hospital after retiring from Verizon when he returned home with his wife to settle in Abbeville, Mississippi. He rejoined Providence United Methodist Church where he served as Trustee Board Chairperson, Sunday School Teacher, and Lay Servant before his health begin to fail. George remained a faithful tithe paying member until death.

He leaves behind his mother, Ella Ree Gillom, his brothers, Chester Burnett (Cornel), Herman Flemons (Pam), Louis Gillom, Sr. (Laura), sisters, Peggie Gillom-Granderson (Anthony), Emma Ward (Eddie), Jennifer Gillom, and Priscilla Gillom-Fisher. He also leaves behind his lovely wife, Wanda, his children, grandchildren: Megan Vann, Jaquan Stephens, Trinity Crosby, Joshua McAllister, Jaylan Stephens, Jordin Johnson, Deontray Johnson, Jr., Neveah Gillom, Anjoli Joe Gillom, and a host of great-grandchildren. George will be remembered as a man who sought after God's own heart, believed in HIs word, loved his family deeply, and would open his heart to anyone in need. George Gillom, Jr. will truly be missed.

His brothers Thomas Gillom, Elge Flemons, Greg Gillom, and Garel White, all proceeded him in death.