Bro Bud was an inspiration and example to so many of us who had the priviledge to call him Pastor!  What a wonderful sweet and loving man and precious loving duo He and Ms. Velma formed!  To the kids, Darren, Derek and Delena, who I grew up with and had many wonderful memories, and to sweet precious lovely Ms. Velma, our thoughts and prayers remain with you!   You all mean so much to so many and personally to the Maness family.  Our families are forever bonded with the wonderful addition to our family many years ago of Lori Oxford Maness.   I am so thankful to God for the blessing of Bro Bud and Ms. Velma and their witness and impact on my life.  Truly the Angels in Heaven are rejoicing and Bro Bud is at home with His Heavenly Father.

Union Grove Baptist grew by leaps and bounds spiritually under the leadership of Brother Bud.  He was a gentle, spiritual giant.

Brother Bud was a special man and his memory will remain with us. Blessings to you Velma and to all your family.  I am better for having known him.

May God richly Bless the Gillett family at this time of their loss. I grew up with Bro. Bud and have always loved and respected him so much. So sorry I never met his lovely wife. He was an inspiration to so many people and will never be forgotten.

Brother Bud & Miss Velma were such a blessing to me growing up in rural Seagrove, NC. The positive influence they had on my life cannot be fully expressed in words. I will forever cherish the great times we had and the happiness they brought to Union Grove Baptist Church. What an awesome Man Of God Brother Bud was and an inspiration to all who knew him. I pray God's peace be with Miss Velma and the family.

My first memory of Bud was in church, a tall (at least to me!), slender teen, tossing me up on his shoulders.  He had blond curls, which were easy to hang onto.  I was tiny, maybe 3 or 4 yrs. old, and he was so fun, any child would have adored him!  That may have been at Parrish First Baptist, or Palmetto First Baptist, I'm not sure which.  Over the years, I saw Bud many times, almost always at church.  Always, always, he smiled.  Often he was in a circle of happy friends.  As the years passed, I saw him as a minister, preaching, but not often, as I went elsewhere, if I went.  Sometimes he was helping some happy couple start life together.  Other times, a family leaned on him during a last farewell to a loved one.  But Bud, or Brother Bud, was a source of joy and comfort wherever he went.  His special gifts have been a blessing to all of us in this world and I'm sure they will be well-used in heaven, too.  My heart goes out to his family, even though they have the Christian's solace of knowing they will see him again.

Velma and family, I cannot express how much I loved and respected Bro Bud.  Velma I remember sitting with you and "Bud" in church at  when I was 5 years old.  I thought you were the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. He was Wonderful Man of God and always my favorite.  Heaven is sweeter with him there.  I rejoice that he is in our future.  Love, Prayers and Blessings
DeAnn and Alan Clark &
  Bill Quisenberry

Bro. Bud was such a blessing used by God and touched many lives.  I know Bro. Bud is singing with the Angels "It is Well with my Soul" with all his voice. It was a honor to have the opportunity to work with Bro. Bud. I remember the many times when the call came and Bro. Bud would rush to the hospital to minister to those in need. Velma prayers for God to continue to surround you and family with His "Love and Peace". Many lives have been touched by Bro. Bud ministry including my life. Knowing Bro. Bud he will be smiling and welcoming each new person who goes through the "Gates of Heaven".

Velma and Family,  I am so saddened by your loss.  Thank you for sharing Bro. Bud with us for all these years.  No matter where he pastored, he was always a source of strength and guidance to me. Each time we met, he left me with assurance that he would keep me in his prayers.
He even forgave my "white fib" in tricking him into coming to his Distinguised Citizen award luncheon.  I hope your spirits will be lifted by all your sweet memories.

Velma & family, I'm so sorry for your loss.  I only meet him a couple of a times, but everyone made me feel like family. I know GOD will take great care of everyone.

I know Jan and I will never forget the day in church when Bro Bud embraced me as I walked down the aisle to accept Jesus. His example changed my life and the lives of countless others during his time here on earth. Boy, will he be missed but a great reunion is coming! Love you Velma and love Bro Bud! Elmer & Jan Hilker

Velma, my love to you and all my cousins. Bud was certainly a wonderful and gracious Christian. I'm convinced that all the folks around New Union Baptist Church and Dayton, Tennessee that knew Bud will always hold him, and you, in the highest regard. God Bless

Bro. Bud was the most God like man we have ever met. Our family loves him so much. Our love and prayers are with Velma and the family during this time of great loss. Can't wait to see him in Heaven!  Jim & Sandy Boyd

So sorry for his loss; sending along our love and prayers for the family.  Al and Sylvia Bembry

TO THE FAMILY OF BRO,BUD. YOU ARE IN MY PRAYERS. I REMEMBER MR.BUD FROM GROWING UP IN PARRISH. THIS WAS A MAN OF GOD WHO WOULD GIVE YOU THE SHIRT OF HIS BACK,NO QUESTION ASK. FAMILY GOD WILL SEE THROUGH IT ALL. HOLD ON TO THE FAITH YOU HAVE. GOD BLESS MRS.VELMA, I BEEN THROUGH IT.I KNOW.

What a special man! Heaven is rejoicing while we left here for now are mourning the loss of someone truly special to our family. He baptized our family and helped counsel us when we needed .

Bro. Bud you will be missed. You were there for my family, the Prines. My daddy, Joe Prine thought the world of you as we all did. Ms Velma, you were my G.A. teacher. I love you both very much.

Such precious memories.  Will miss Bro Bud's smile his sweet loving spirit.  Love you all!

What a blessing to have known such a wonderful man.   I have known Bro Bud my whole life.   He went to school with my dad and always had such fun stories of their youth.   He baptized me when I was saved and then later after Jason and I had Josh he would always spend time talking to Josh.   Later Bro Bud would tell me God has special plans for Josh.   That always meant so much to Jason and I.  We are praying for Mrs. Velma and all of the family during this difficult time.

I never knew a more compassionate man than Brother Bud and he always had a warm smile for everyone. I am a firm believer if you didn't hear the word of God spoken through Brother Bud, well you just weren't listening. Some of my favor sermons were preached by him and to this day I still carry my notes from his sermon at Bella Cucina's while at Gillette were still praying for a new building. Even though the notes are fading the words are so powerful and still mean so much to me. I have been so blessed to have known him. R.I.P. Brother Bud as I know the angles are rejoicing!!

Our Lord has called home a dear shepard who has touched the heart and soul of so many including myself. I am forever grateful for your Christ like spirit that brought me to an everlasting relationship with Jesus. Miss Velma thank you for the time you spent guiding me thru new members class. We will see you all in his glory someday.

Rest in peace old school bud.  You have peace of mind that in the future you will be joined by Velma.

Brother Bud and precious Velma saw me through my teenage years, and between Leanne Plum, Mary Beth Mills, and myself - we used up plenty of their love and patience.  Thank you for showing us Jesus.

We are so blessed to have known Bud for many years. He was my husbands first cousin and a class mate of mine . He was the one who got my husband and I together and in later years was with us when our youngest son was hurt in a bad accident and wasn't expected to live.  The doctors allowed Bud into the recovery room with our son when we were not allowed in. We were so comforted knowing Bud was in there praying and asking God to spare the life of our son.  Our son did recover after a long rehab. . Praise The Lord. We are eternally grateful to Bud for the love, concern and prayers in our time of need. Bud was always a shinning light for 
The Lord and he is rejoicing in Heaven now.  Velma you Bud were so blessed to have each other for so many years. May the precious memories of your dear husband help fill the  empty space in your heart. May The Lord grant you and your family  peace and comfort in the days and years ahead.  RIP our dear man. Until we meet again.

Some of our warmest memories came from our time at FBC under Bro. Bud's loving shepherding.  He taught and lived out  what a Christlike life looked like and he and Miss Velma showed us the perfect example of a Godly marriage.  We will miss you in this life but rejoice in knowing we'll see your smiling face again in Glory!

What a blessing to have Known such a wonderful and selfless man.  The love he showed us and our children is a gift beyond words. We love you Ms Velma ..continued prayers for you and your family.

What a blessing to have known Bro. Bud!  How precious the memories of such a kind, loving man of God...someone I always looked up to and respected.  He shared many sorrows with my family through the years, and his gentle presence, heartfelt prayers, and constant smile always made them easier to bear.  My thoughts and prayers will remain with your family.

Our love and prayers go out to Miss Velma and all three of the wonderful children and their families during this time of sadness.  Bro.  Bud was our Pastor at FBC Palmetto.  Many wonderful memories of that time in our lives.  Their home was always open to us.  One day we'll all be together again!

Bro. Bud, I consider myself very fortunate to have known you since we were children.  Even though I didn't see you for many years at a time in later years, you were always the same wonderful friend each time our paths crossed.  The last time I saw you was exactly that way, when you led my sister Wilma's funeral back in April.  It was a wonderful service and I didn't know until much later how sick you were at the time because you never let on.  I love you and appreciate you for that, and you will be truly missed.  Velma and family, I'm praying for you all that God will give you peace and comfort.

GgThere has never been nor will there ever be another as special as our dear Pastor and friend Br. Bud. There simply are not sufficient words to express how much he has meant to our entire family through the 30+ years of being close to Bud and Velma and their whole family.  We are stronger in our faith in Christ because Bro. Bud was our example of Christ on this earth.  Bud lived what he preached and taught for us all to see-he is a great man but the JESUS, who he lived for, is what will live on in our hearts because he represented his Savior to us all in an undeniable way.  Thank you for loving all of us and for making ALL you knew feel so special.  We are missing you here Bro. Bud for you will never be forgotten.  Looking forward to our heavenly reunion in the sweet by and by!
With all of our love-David and Barbara Olson

Jack and I send our love and heartfelt condolences to Miss Velma and family in the home-going of Bro. Bud. We cherish the time we were blessed to serve alongside you at FBC Palmetto and remember the good times fondly. Much love. Jack and Teni Tillery

What a blessing it was to know such a godly man as Brother Bud. I count myself extremely lucky to have known him.

Uncle Bud I can only imagine the marvelous homecoming that was waiting on you in Heaven. I miss you. I will cherish your unconditional love, your  genuine spirit that you had for everyone you ever met and for your stories. Thank you for not only teaching me about our Heavenly Father but also for showing me.  I always said you were the closest man I knew to walk on water other than Jesus. Old hymns will never be the same, they will always bring a smile to my face as I sing them seeing you.  Love you and looking forward to the day I will see you at the pearly gates.

Kelli R. White&Helen White
Bro.Bud,what a Blessing you were to us as daddy was dying and the comfort you gave mom and us All.You were always there for us,and we will Greatly miss you my Friend.We will always Love you.

Bro Bud was a beloved Pastor who will be greatly missed, he was also a friend to all who knew him.

Our families thoughts and prayers go out to the family of this wonderful man of God, he will be truly missed by many.

I was so shocked and sad to learn of Bro. Bud's passing.  He baptized my daughter, Kathy, who is also now in heaven & he baptized my niece, Kristy.  We loved going to First Baptist Church, Palmetto and listening to this man who loved God so much.  I don't ever recall seeing Brother Bud without a huge smile and he just loved everyone.  Praying for Velma and all the family for peace, comfort, and strength!!

OBITUARY

William "Bro.Bud" Alden Gillett Jr.

28 October, 1941 – 2 November, 2014

Groover Funeral Home at Mansion Memorial Park

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