Obituaries – Their Stories Live On

On Wednesday November 19, 2025 Elizabeth (Doyle) Gilliam departed this life at 94 years of age in the comforts of her home in Ellicott City, MD with family by her side.

Elizabeth was born August 5, 1931 in Stevenson, West Virginia to the late Eliza (Carter) Doyle and William Doyle. Elizabeth attended Conley High School and later in life worked as a dietician at Wyoming General Hospital until it closed. Soon after, she gained employment and later retired from Raleigh General Hospital. In her retirement, she loved to travel and visit her relatives and friends. She was also a devoted member of Mount Grove Baptist Church of Wyco, WV.

In 1949, Elizabeth Doyle married Leonard Gilliam and from that union 5 children were born - Michael, Mary, Janice, Lenora, Belinda and later adopted Cassandra.

Elizabeth was a survivor of breast cancer and also a quadruple heart bypass. She relied heavily on her faith and strong will to live. After suffering a stroke in 2012, she relocated to Columbia, Maryland and resided with her daughter Janice. She later moved to Ellicott City, MD with her daughter Lenora and resided with her until Jesus called her home.

She was preceded in death by loved ones, whom we take comfort in knowing welcomed her with open arms. Though the pain of her loss is overwhelming, we find solace in the memories she left behind.

Elizabeth was preceded in death and welcomed in heaven by her husband Leonard Gilliam, son Michael Gilliam, grandson Isaiah Stevenson and grandson Malik Amar. She was also preceded in death by her 10 siblings, William Doyle Jr, Robert Doyle, Eddie Doyle, Earl Doyle, Anderson Doyle, Joe Doyle, Louis Doyle, Savannah Scales, Pauline Robertson and Arline Mills.

She is survived by her daughters - Mary Wilson of Flint Township, Michigan, Janice (Kelvin) Blackstone of Hurt, Virginia, Lenora (Daryll) Betterson of Ellicott City, Maryland, Belinda Stevenson of Baltimore, Maryland and Cassandra Gilliam of Ellicott City, Maryland; 10 grandchildren - Kevin, Kenya, Chelon, Anthony, Felicia, Teneisa, Marcus, Leslie, Kiara and Keith Jr; 12 great-grandchildren - Tristian, Trevor, Maleigha, Makala, Corey, Ahmad, Amani, Aubrey, Liam, Caleb, Makiah and Kimora; and 3 great-great-grandchildren - Zyon, Kourtney and Messiah; along with a host of cousins, nieces and nephews.

Her spirit will live on in every shared story and every echo of laughter. We will forever carry her in our hearts and cherished memories.

Funeral service will be 12:00PM Saturday, December 6, 2025 at Heart of God Ministries 1703 S. Kanawha St. Beckley. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Prosperity.

Friends, while wearing masks and observing social distancing, may visit with the family one hour prior.

Email condolences to ritchiejohnsonfuneralparlor@gmail.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Ritchie & Johnson Funeral Parlor, Beckley.