Joseph Cupid Gilliam, affectionally called “Joe” or Joe Cupid” was called home for eternal rest
by his Heavenly Father in the early morning on Friday, January 26, 2024.
Joe was born on February 20, 1937 in Farmville, Virginia to the late Samuel and Loise Gilliam.
He received his education in Cumberland County, Virginia, where he attended Luther P. Jackson
High School, and ultimately received his GED. In March 1958, he was joined in marriage to
Dorothy Lee Gilliam and from this union, they were blessed with five children.
He held various jobs and positions throughout his life and last worked for the Department of
Corrections for over 20 years before retirement. If you knew him, you knew he was mostly
quiet and laid back but never shy to share his thoughts. He loved baseball, hunting, fishing, and
enjoyed cutting lawns.
He confessed Christ as his Savior and was baptized at an early age. He joined the Sharon Baptist
Church where he remained a member. During his years of service, he served in many capacities
including the Usher Board and Trustee Board.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents Samuel and Louise Gilliam, his brother Milton Gilliam,
his son Melvin Joseph Gilliam, and a granddaughter Edwanndoe Mechika Gilliam.
He leaves to cherish his memory a loving wife of 65 years, Dorothy Lee Gilliam; four children
JoAnn Gilliam Shearn (Mark) Cumberland, Virginia; Eleanora Gilliam Booker (Jerome) Jetersville,
Virginia; Geneathia Giliam Spencer (Harry) Farmville, Virginia; and Wendy Gilliam Daniel (James)
Newport News, Virginia; a devoted nephew who became a special son, Keith Gilliam (Priscilla)
Farmville, Virginia; one brother, Samuel Gilliam; four sisters Julia Leech, Roberta Ferguson,
Barbara Ann Gilliam, and Joyce Wiley; fourteen grandchildren Tanya Brown, Uronda Delaigle,

Sibhon Archer, Haron Spencer, Deaundra Brown, Brice Rowe, ShaNeice Shearn, Mitchell Maxey,
Carmen Daniel, James Daniel III, Christopher Daniel, Jatasha Orr, Jashawna Foreman, and
Kenyah Eggleston; twenty-one great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives
and friends.