Elsie Mae Gilliland

Elsie Gilliland, born March 19, 1938, passed away on December 16, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. She is preceded in death by her parents, Grace Busby and A.C Williams; her husband, Max Gilliland, her daughter, Cindy Morales, and her siblings, J.T. Williams, Doris Sue Gallien, and her twin sister, Delsie Harmon. Elsie is survived by her children: Tammy Makant (Jeff), Barry Gilliland (Rachel), Jessica Haston (David); grandchildren: Justin Steelman, Felicia Morales-Villarrreal, Ricky Cortez, Keith Cortez, Melissa McCloy, Lacey Cortez, Bethany Gilliland-Cortez; great-grandchildren: Kaitlynn Marie Cortez, Keith Christopher Cortez, Kaiden Noah Cortez, Michael Sparrow Gail Haston, David Royce Huckleberry Haston, Landon Blake McCloy, and Brynnleigh Renee McCloy.

Elsie Gilliland was kind and gentle, in a world that did not always return the favor.

She loved, consistently, and unconditionally.

Whether one knew her as a Mom, Grandma, Great-Grandma or friend, she could always be counted on to listen, understand, and love, and to remain in your corner, regardless of the circumstances.

Elsie was not loud, but possessed an amazing quiet strength. She was humble, but so proud of her husband and family. Elsie embodied all the good things in life. She was consistently true and faithful, without being sermonizing or judgmental.

She confronted hypocrisy, death, cancer, polio and Parkinsons, to name a few of her battles-and without unnecessary show or drawing attention to herself, she faced them all down.

Elsie lived life with a heart of gratitude. She routinely counted her blessings, and shared them generously.

Elsie loved feeding her birds, tending her garden, and starting her day at sunrise with a hot cup of coffee. She loved reading, and she loved fried chicken. She adored her family and her dogs and cats, and, most of all, her God. And if you had the privilege of knowing Elsie, you were keenly aware that she loved you, too.

A celebration of her life will take place at 2 PM on Saturday, December 21 at Sunset Northwest Funeral Home. Visitation will begin at 1 PM