Ora Gilliam Obituary

Ora Evelyn Gilliam, 79, of Van Alstyne, Texas, passed away peacefully on June 29, 2025, surrounded by her family.
Ora was born on March 4, 1946, in Fairfield, Alabama, to Roger Lee Bates and Gladys (Skinner) Bates. From an early age, she demonstrated a deep sense of duty, faith, and compassion-qualities that defined her life. After graduating from high school, Ora answered the call to serve her country and joined the United States Navy. She met the love of her life, Dwain Gilliam. The two were married in 1967 in Jacksonville, Florida, and remained devoted to one another for fifty-eight wonderful years.
Throughout her life, Ora embraced the adventure and challenges of military family life. She and Dwain lived in Florida, Virginia, Iceland, Louisiana, and Oklahoma before finally settling in Texas. Wherever she went, Ora built a home full of warmth, love, and laughter.
A woman of steadfast faith, Ora was a proud and active member of the United Methodist Church of Tom Bean, Texas, where she found joy in worship, community, and service. Her favorite moments were often the simple ones: reading her Bible in the early morning light, singing along to her favorite gospel hymns, or watching Hallmark and Lifetime movies-especially the "cheesy" ones she loved to laugh at with her daughters and grandchildren.
Ora will be remembered for her gentle spirit, kind heart, and unwavering love for her family. She had a gift for making others feel cared for and seen. Whether through a thoughtful card, a warm meal, or a listening ear, she touched countless lives with grace and quiet strength.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her beloved brother, Clifford Lamar Bates; and sisters, Louise McCumber and Helen Gregory.
She is survived by her devoted husband, Dwain Gilliam; her daughters, Tonya Adams and Stephanie Lewis; and her cherished grandchildren, Alexander Adams, Abigail Adams, and Carson Lewis, who were the light of her life and the joy of her later years.