Jessie Atwell Gillis (10-13-10) services 10-15-10

Jessie Atwell Gillis, of Savannah, was born in Iron City, Tenn., on Aug. 18, 1924, the daughter of the late Noah Jackson and Abbey Elizabeth Chandler Atwell.

On June 11, 1940, she was united in marriage to Thomas Elliott Gillis, who preceded his wife in death on Aug. 1, 1985.

Mrs. Gillis was a store clerk for Friedman’s in Nashville for 10 years. She also had worked for Southgate Cinema for five years in Savannah and Brown Shoe in Waynesboro for 30 years. Mrs. Gillis was a member of Hopewell Baptist Church. She enjoyed talking on the phone, baby-sitting, motorcycle riding and enjoyed doing church work. Mrs. Gillis was a good friend to everyone and she loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She departed this life on Wednesday, Oct. 13, at the Jackson Madison County General Hospital in Jackson, Tenn., at the age of 86 years, 1 month and 25 days.

Mrs. Gillis is survived by three grandchildren, Gary Scott Adams, Tammy Renee Mabry and Lisa Adams Hunt; seven great-grandchildren, Scarlet Lace Adams, Yasmin Scot Adams, Cory Addison Mabry, Blaine Elliott Mabry, Preston Tate Mabry, Thomas Jack Mabry and Jessica Ivey Hunt; one sister, Sallie Odem of Noblesville, Ind. and one half sister, Linda Hayes of Lawrenceburg, Tenn.

In addition to her parents and her husband, Mrs. Gillis was also preceded in death by one daughter, Beverly Lee Adams; and one sister, Virginia Barnett.

Services were held on Friday, Oct. 15, at 10 a.m., at Shackelford Chapel in Savannah with Philip Meek, Johnny Wilson officiating. Burial was in the Philadelphia Cemetery at Wayne County, Tenn.

Memorial donations may be made to Hopewell Baptist Church, Savannah or Hardin County Relay for Life.