Beulah 'Boots' Gillis

Oakwood- Beulah L. Boots Gillis, 81, of Oakwood passed away at 1:50 PM on Monday, February 14, 2011 at her residence. She was born on January 21, 1930 in Bismarck. Her parents were Sherman Wayne and Dortha Lucille (Neff) Smith. She first married Isham Ike Payne and from that marriage she is survived by Rick E. (Margarita) Payne and Becky G. Payne. She later married Robert L. Gillis and from that marriage is survived by her step-children Allen (Tammi) Gillis, Don (Becky) Gillis and Debbie Delahr. From these children she was blessed with many grandchildren and great-grandchildren having special relationships with David A. (Sharon) Tuggle and their children David, Jr., Cassie, Ryan, and Amanda, and Christie (Jim) Singer and their children Ashlee, Sydnee, and Maxwell Payne, and PaTricia D. Tuggle and her son Ike Alexander Shelato, and Lenae Payne of California. She is also survived by a brother Wayne (June) Smith of Dekalb and a special friend Rose Landers along with Roses extended family as well as her special families at Hebron Methodist Church in Newtown and her many friends at Leisure Time Estates and her cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents along with her husband Robert and a sister Wanda who died when Beulah was 14. Boots was a graduate of Oakwood High School in 1947. In the 50s Boots worked at the BB Corner at Routes 119 and 1 on the Old Dixie Highway, and also LBJs in Rossville, GE, Traveler Boat, and lastly at the Lakeview Hospital Kitchen. She was fondly known by her family as the Grand Matriarch. After having both knees replaced, the family discovered that one her goals listed for her doctor was to get better in order to have them in for the holidays. Her most recent battle was with cancer in January of 2010. She recovered to a very active life, and was most recently able to have her family in her home for this last Christmas. Beulah was an avid bowler, a member of the Hebron Methodist Church and a trustee, very active at Leisure Time estates, known as the gate key lady, volunteered to help other whenever she could, and made it her business to keep her family in check. She so enjoyed her friends and neighbors at Leisure Time, as anyone could witness as she drove her golf cart from door to door. She enjoyed floral work with her daughter Becky. Those who knew Beulah also knew she had a knack for telling it like it was. The family would like to share that they recently found tucked away in several places a philosophy. Women should be tough, tender, laugh as much as possible, and live long lives. A service to celebrate the life of Beulah Boots Gillis will be held at 2 PM on Saturday, February 19, 2011 at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center, A Life Celebration Home in Danville. Pastors Kim Dancey and Patty Wise will officiate. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Park. Visitation will be held from 4-8 PM on Friday, February 18 also at Sunset in Danville. Additional visitation will take place from 1-2 PM prior to the services on Saturday. Flowers are welcome, but memorials may be made to the Newtown Hebron Methodist Church. Condolences may be made to the family online at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.