Words of Comfort: My grandmother Sally Gilliam

I remember my grandmother who lived to be in her 90s was full of life. She attended church at First Baptist on Church Circle in Kingsport. She was the first lady real estate agent in Kingsport. What I want to reflect on today was how she loved to go to church in her finest attire. Putting her pin curls in on Saturday night. I remember how she would rub her lotion into her hands and talk under her breath about what she needed to do. Her face powder and lipstick were a must. She would put on her finest suit dress with loud flowers on the material. Finding her best matching hat with ribbon and feathers. Her shoes and pocketbook would match. Not forgetting her clip-on earrings and a pretty necklace. She would have her nails polished but may have on gloves to match her outfit. She also knew to wear her finest to God's house. She was going to be in the presence of her Lord and Savior and King. She was his queen. She was also prissy and loved to show her outfit off to her neighbors. I can see her now with her pocketbook on her arm with her hand pointed up. I remember her sitting down at the old upright piano in her dining room and playing and singing. She loved the songs "Precious Memories" and "Rock of Ages" and pantomimed to that song. Both of my grandparents played the piano. This is a gift that was passed on to me. She would laugh until she cried. She often would laugh when one of us got hurt. Go figure! She had a servant's heart and pulled many a stranger that was hitchhiking on Center Street into her home for a hot meal and a rest. My grandmother would go antiquing on Saturdays. That meant my grandpa would drive her out to the country, and when she saw a home that looked like they would have antiques in their decor, she would knock on the door and introduce herself. "Hello, my name is Sally Gilliam." She would try to trade or get a good deal on something. Her yard had beautiful snowball bushes and forget-me-nots. She planted some vegetables. On Grandparents Day, Sept. 13, I honor my heritage. "Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children's children." — Deuteronomy 4:9 Sabrina Keller is a minister and worship leader at the Evangel Family Worship Center in Kingsport. EDITOR'S NOTE: The Times News has teamed up with area clergy to share "Words of Comfort" in our print edition and online at timesnews.net. Any member of the clergy who would like to get involved can contact Carol Broyles at cbroyles@sixriversmedia.com.