Hey Daddy

It is the last entry in the memorial book for me to you. It is hard not knowing what to say because the last thing I ever want to say is Good Bye. I know that through out this last year is was easy to write to you or go to Woodlawn to visit you. But just knowing that I can no longer write to you in this memorial book is hard. So I will do the next best thing start for the first time in my life my own memorial book to you, mom and mom Dorothy. I will be able to write my own thoughts to you all. 
I think that will be the best thing for me. I spent this day March 24 the one year anniversary of you passing at the Boat show in honor of you. I know how you love boats, there were so many beautiful boats there. Even a 1921 boat which I thought to be so awesome. It was a beautiful sunny Florida say light breeze and filled with love love of the Lord and you.
I know that these nest years will be hard but with the love of the Jesus I will get through each and every day. Please know that I will NEVER forget you and you will always be in my mind and heart. You were a great father and you taught us all how to love our Lord Jesus Christ. I can only hope and pray that I will continue to teach my boys and grand children that same that you taught me. You love, strength and wisdom will follow me all the days of my life. 
I am a bit selfish and wish that you were still here to love and hug but I know that you are in a much better place then me.
So please keep guideing me and helping in you spirit to do the right things in Life. 
Help me to guide my children to know and love the Lord Jesus.
I will never say good bye but I will say I love you and we will see each other again when God so see to be the time. 
Please help me to be a good Christian and to teach my family to be the same, so you will be proud of us all.
I love you more than word can ever say. You were and will always be my rock and great daddy.
Love always in Jesus name'
you baby girl Cyndi

 It has been a year now since you passed on. Your family is all growing and doing well and miss you greatly. We are all looking forward to the time that we can all be together in a better place filled with happiness  prepared by the Lord. That will certainly be a blessed day for all. We all Love you and will see you when the Lord wishes.
Tim

Hey Pops,
Today is the day that one year ago the Lord called you home. We know that you are so much better off in the arms of Jesus. I try every day to make you proud by making sure I put to use the lessons that you have taught me. 
We miss you more than you know. Cyndi is trying to get through today as best she can. I too am a little teary eyed thinking of you but also I am smiling at the thought of you sitting at the feet of Jesus. How is that possible to be so sad for me but for happy for you. 
Pop I just wanted to put in one last entry before they closed this memory book. I know after today that I will continue to talk and converse with you because I will always need your advice and I know spiritually you will never be gone for me. It is comforting to know that you will guide me each day no matter if I am writing in this book or not. And believe me I am gonna continue to need your advice and your voice in my head always being the voice of reason and calm. 
Thanks Pop for being my daddy. Thanks for teaching me to love others and do listen to the Holy Spirit in all that I do. I want only to please the Lord and that is the most important thing that you taught me, to please the Lord. If I do that then everything else will fall into place. 
You, Mom and Momma Dorothy did an awesome job teaching us to love the Lord above all else and I am striving every day to do just that. 
I love you ans miss you much. Until we see each other again. 
Your Daughter

Grandpa you are one of people in my life that made me the man and father i am today and i thank you for that. You are missed every day and those days are a blessing to us all they give us a chance to remember you as the man, father, grandfather and friend you were. I will never forget the talks, the subway runs or just the good ole times we had together. you are one the smartest men ive ever had the pleasure of knowing which gave me the oppertunity to lern every time i was around you and for that i thank you. The times we shared were priceless and ill charish them to the end. till we meet again i love you.
            
           love your grandson and family:

March 23, 2012
I will always remember you as a good and  generous gentleman who loved your family and God  with all your heart and soul! You  treated me with  the utmost respect and kindness, and I appreciated your friendship. Rest in peace.

Love to you always Grandpa. You will always be in our hearts..

You were loved more than you'll ever know and missed so very much. The last many years there was no contact but always on our minds. When i found out about your passing it broke my heart. But one good thing came from this and i know some how you done it from above and that was leading us back together with Cyndi and Debbie so thank you so very much. I wish you could have met my childeren their wonderful and you would be proud i'm sure and now i'm about to be a Grandmother and so excited. I hope to have your guidence as well as Grandma's and Momma's so that i can be at least half the Grandparent you alway's were. Thank you for being a part of my life, I love and miss you dearly, Rest in Peace my sweet Grandpa.

I meet you only once, and I tell you what I really enjoyed it. The best part was when me and Bingo fixed you lunch. Even though i didn't say anything but i was honored that you even let me in your kitchen. Thanks for the memory and you will be missed by all that has had the wonderful chance to cross your path.

Hey daddy
WOW this is a hard letter to you for me. I enjoyed so much this last year writing to you when I was feeling down and missing you like crazy. It is hard to believe that it has been a year since I last got a hug and kiss from you. It seems like a life time ago. It is a beautiful warm sunny day here in Florida. I know that you would have loved today. Not too hot and not cold. I know how you hate the cold weather. All the trees are green and your plants that I brought home from your house are blooming like crazy. They remind me so much of you and how you loved planting and buying new ones every year. 
Today is also Amanda and Lexi's birthday. Amanda has grown to be a lovely women and Lexi is just five and very tall. Smart as a whip, nothing gets by her. Laci is also growing like a weed. She is 17 months old and is as tall as Janiyah that is 22 months old. You would be very proud of Michael. He and Tessa have made a nice home for both Annabelle and Janiyah. They are all doing so good. Living in Leesburg and still working at Olive Garden. Michael finially got his position in the kitchen. He loves to cook and he does it so well. God Blessings have shined on them as a family. I think they will be getting married within the next year for sure. 
Tiffany and the girls are doing great in Ohio. I just came back from a trip there with Janiyah. We had a great time. We celebrated Lexi turning 5 yrs old, hard to believe she is five. I miss them like crazy. Shaun has had another set back in life but I pray every day that God will give me strength to help him through all this again. I pray that Shaun will find God and let God be first in his life. I pray that you will help me with that every day. I know you can work in wonderful ways and so I ask for your help and God's too.
Tim is working like his normal self with all his projects between the Florida home and NC home. Finially got all the doors in my Florida home painted. It is been 10 years since we moved into our Florida home. It has been a work in progress since the start. Always something to do when you are a home owner. Gotta love Tim for that, he loves nice looking homes and keeps them in top shape all the time.
It is his therapy in life. 
As for me, well this is a hard week. It is the last week you and I spent together with Debbie. I could not have done this last year without her (Debbie) in my life. God and you brought Debbie and I back together again. For that I am thankful for but I sure wish you were still here with us all. I have grown alot this last year. I have gotten myself and all the bad things in my life under control. I have to also give credit to Tim and Debbie for their help too. It would have been just as easy to go off the deep end again. I know that God also had alot to do with it and my self and alot of strength too. I thank them all everyday for their help. I still need it.
Wanda and Harvey have now moved into your home. They have done alot of good things to the home to make it theirs and I know you would be proud of all that they have done. Wanda has always had good taste in making a house a home. I pray everyday for both Wanda and Debbie's health issues to get better. They both are now with back problems. Wanda is in a healing process and Debbie has just begun her fight. I pray that they both get relief from pain to live their life to the fullest.
From me and my whole family we love and miss you. mom and Dorothy. You know that we will all see each other again but for me it is not soon enough. Please keep watching over us as you always have our whole lives. help keep me strong in my faith as I hear you in my head preaching to me all the time. Thats ok cause God and you know I need that. 
Please help Wanda, Debbie and I fight to stay close in our sisterhood together. We need the help and prayers for sure. 
Please know that I will be out to visit you and mom every chance I get and it gives me great peace to visit you both there. Always has and always will. 
I love you, miss you, You were my best friend, the best father and always the best dinner partner a daughter could ever have. I miss those days we spent together alot and I wish I had spent more with you.
I thank God that you are no longer in pain and that you are resting until we see each other again.

Love your baby girl
Cyndi

TO ALL THE FAMILY OF Mr GILLIES. I didn't have the chance to meet him but through his daugther, Debbie Johson, I know him. The family was blessed to have a dad like him. I am sorry for your loss. My Prayers are with the family.Just remember the lord made a place for him, and he is resting in the arm's of the lord.Rest in peace with the LORD MR.Gillies.

You were truly a blessing to your family. Your daughter has been a blessing to my family and a huge asset to my church family. God has really matured her into the Mighty Woman of God that He declared her to be. Your legacy will live on.

We never met, but I feel like I knew you through your wonderful family.  Your daughter, who loves the Lord and is so strong in her faith.  Her handsome children, both with such good hearts have so much potential.  You can look down in pleasure at your legacy, your family, who love you so very much.

Hey grandfather. Can't believe its been almost year. I miss you bunches but I know I will see you again. You're great grandbabies are growing so fast. Josiah is starting to talk more than baby talk and running every where. And Amie well just is a little over a month old and growing like a weed. Mom says she looks like me. Speaking of mom she is slowly but surely getting her body better with Gods help. And you would be proud of her. We miss you more and more everyday. And I love you. Hugs and kisses from me and the babies. Talk to you later.

Pastor David and I did not know you very well, for that we truly missed a GREAT blessing.  What I do know is that from your daughters, you were an incredible man, husband and father.  I also know that they miss you tremendously daily.  Do us a favor please...give Jesus a hug, as I will hug Debbie for you.  I won't sign this goodbye, I will say that we will see you someday.  Then I look forward to hearing the stories you have to tell. You are truly missed by your family!

Hey Pop,
Little bit here to say Hey and to let you know that you are whole heartly missed. A lot has happened since my last message to you. You have two brand new Great Grandchildren: Zander Blayne Haycraft was born November 2, 2010 to Robbie and Cherrie. He is a wonderful baby. Looks just like Robbie did when he was little. Had some tummy trouble at first like Robbie did but is blossoming now. His personality is so wonderful to see. Also you have Amie Lynne Browning by Mandi and Jerry. She was a little thing compared to her brother Josiah. Weighed in at only 5lbs 15 1/2 ounce. She is so tiny compared to the rest of them. I don't think she will ever grow. She is just now a month old and Mandi is doing so well with her. She has become a really good mommy. The rest of the Great Grandbabies are growing like weeds. Princess Adaya will be 3 this September and I can hardly believe it. She has a lot of intestinal fortitude. LOL. Just like her Granny. She will do well in life. Josiah is so much as God said he would be. Sweet and loving little boy. Loves and kisses on both of the new babies. Reagan is growing so big. Still don't get to see her much but she still knows that I am her Granny. Everytime she sees me she smiles the biggest smile that it just warms my heart. Bingo is doing good. Finally has all his teeth out and will get his new ones in a couple of months. As you can well imagine he can't wait to eat salad and steak again. He continues to take wonderful care of me. He is the love of my life and am so thankful that God saw fit to send him to me. Me? Oh you know me, plugging away as always. Working too hard and not taking time for me. Still doing that but it will all be worth it when I stand in the throne room of God. The Lord said for me to plan a trip to the Holy Land this December for me and my wonderful hubby and I am in the process of doing that. Pop I ain't gonna pretend that this week isn't gonna be hard. It will be for those left here without you but you have raised some very strong Women of God that will get through it with the Lord's help. You and Mom and Momma Dorothy did a wonderful job with all of us girls. I thank the Lord each day for giving me Godly parents that taught me that we serve an awesome God. My office is filled with your presence. Pictures and even your straw hat hang along the walls so that I am constantly reminded of just how much you loved the Lord no matter what happened in life. I Praise God for those reminders some days when things are really tough. Your memorial garden is almost complete and I am so glad for the participation in it of all of my children to honor you, mom and momma Dorothy. 
Pop I miss you aweful and I know you are in a much better place, truly I do, but it sure don't make life easier for me who still has work to do here. There are some days when I so need your guidance and always when I was at my lowest moment you would call me. You were such a bugger on that. :) But I do miss those calls now very much. I will continue to try and look after Cyndi and Wanda. I pray for Wanda's health daily and know that God's got her. Cyndi and I are so close now like when we were kids. I am so greatful for that also. I know we will talk a lot this week so that we can lean on each other through this touch time. I will attempt to remain strong but there are no guarantees. I know that are wonderful Women of God around me that will make sure that I get through the hard times this week. I can't thank God enough for them. 
Pop, I love and Miss you so much. Denise Gray always tells me that tears are liquid prayer. So I think I will be praying a bunch in the next few days. But I know when I reach heaven there will be no more tears and I can't wait for that day when the Lord calls me home but until then I will be here doing His work just like I saw you do your whole life. 
Love ya

Feb 2, 2012
Hey Daddy
Just wanted to let you know that everyone is fine and I miss you so much. Tim is in NC cold and wet and I am in Florida- that is sunny Florida. The weather here has been truly great. You would never know it is Feb. or winter here. For that I am very thankful for too. I am like you, I do not like cold weather at all. Been trying to keep busy with my grand baby Janiyah. She is 20 months old. She is a pleasure to be with too. You would have really enjoyed being with her. She is so  much like her daddy, Michael. Oh Michael is doing great, I know you always knew he would. He is now on the right track in life and I can only say my prayers were answered. It took a little time but he finally figured it out. I know, have patients is what you use to tell me and I did. 
Wanda and Harvey are all moved into your home now and I pray that they both find it restful and peaceful too. It is a nice home and I know you will look over them each and every day/night. 
Debbie is deep into tax season and her grand babies too. Amanda is 12 days from giving birth to her baby girl. She will be named Aimee Lynne ( after sister Lynne) and born on Valentines's Day. We will refer to her as the "LOVE" baby. I am excited for them all. 
I will be leaving on March 8th to fly up to Ohio to see Tiffany, Lexi and Laci. I am blessed to be taking Janiyah with me. It will be only the third time all my grand babies will be together and I am going to enjoy every minute I can with them all. One week will go by very fast. 
I will close for now but know that we will talk again soon.
I love you Daddy and miss you every day!
Your loving daughter Cyndi

Jan. 10,2012- Wow I can not hardly believe it is 2012. Just wanted to talk to you today. It is rainy and cloudy today. Things are going pretty good. Debbie is having alot of back pain and the Dr's are trying to figure out what she has done to herself. I pray that she gets the right help soon.
Wanda and Harvey just left Florida to return to TN to get packed to move into your home. I am pleased to let you know this. She needs a stable home to live in and I think it is a wise choice for her. Her back is healing and I am very thankful for that. I pray that this move will be her last and that she can finially set some Florida roots down for the first time in over 30 years or more. 
It will be different for her to be here in Florida but it is the right decision for sure. 
Starting this new year means new beginnings too. I am trying my hardest to get my health under control myself. My thyroid just wants to do its own thing and for the first time in my life I am struggling with weight control. Not at all what I planned. Getting older means things start to happen to the body that you do not want too. I pray that one day soon I can get control again.
Missing you each and every day and wishing so much we could talk just one more time. I listen to my saved voice mails from you on my cell just to hear your voice. It helps but also makes me very sad too.
All is well with everyone else in the family. We all miss you so much. Praying for constant emotional support knowing you where the loving and caring father that you where. Please keep helping and guiding me on the right path. 
Your loving daughter
Cyndi

Hey Daddy.
Is Dec. 5 and I need to catch you up on all that has been going on. Tim and I went to KY for Thanksgiving and had a wonderful dinner thanks to Chef Bingo and to Debbie for all the cookies and brownies. It was great to see all her family and grandbabies. The newest one Zander. They are all one big family there in KY. I have to say for the first time most of your/our family is now in KY. They are all doing good. 
As for Tim and I we are in NC for one more week, then back home to Florida for the Christmas Holiday. We sure do miss you. The holiday table just wasn't the same without you and your jolly face. I miss you so very much. I can hardly believe you have been gone a little over 8 months. I talk to you every day and pray that you will show me the answers that I need from you. So far you have guided me and with God's help you will both continue to guide me. Oh wanted to let you know that I talked to Sue and Ed and all is good with them and Debbie and I called Aunt Dottie on Thanksgiving Day and she is doing good too. So I think for now we all are doing pretty good.
Tim, Debbie and I just went to see Wanda in the hospital. She got through another back surgery and is now at her home in TN getting a very much needed recovery time.
Well the leaves have all fallen and we saw our first small snow her in NC. I am sure that we will see more. Michael and is little family is in their new place and doing very well also. As for Tiffany and the girls they are in Ohio and trying to stay warm. Shaun is in Detin Florida, he's okay too.
well now that I have you all caught up on the news, I will say what I always do to you. Love you with all my heart and miss you more than I ever thought possible. Hope you and mom are together are watching over us all. And Dorothy too! God Bless you and us all.
Rest in peace..

Hey Pop, 
It is me again. It is the first day of October here in Kentucky and I would have been calling you to talk about how cold it is. Also about the leaves changing. They have just started but I know how much you loved to see the beautiful colors and how we would talk about the wonderful handiwork of God. (What a wonderful artist He is). Miss you Pop but will see ya soon. As the Word says, in the blink of an eye. Oh and don't worry, Cyndi and I will be together for the holidays. Love ya bunches.

Hello Daddy
It is early evening Sept. 29, 2011 and I am thinking of you and missing you so much. You have been gone now 6 months and five days and it seems like a life time for me. I miss your calls and our dinner dates. I wish we could have just one more day together. I love you with all my heart. I never thought I could miss someone so much, as I do you.
Rest in Peace Daddy, until we meet again. 
Loving you every day Cyndi

Hello Daddy, Mom and Dorothy Too!

Just want to let you know that my family is fine and that we all miss you very much. I can hear the sound of your voice ringing in my ears " God Bless you Child". It is what you said to me at the end of every voice mail on my phone> I listen to your messages and although it makes me sad, it also brings a little joy to me that I can still hear your voice. 
Missing you always, loving you always!
We are waiting for tropical storm "IRENE" to hit Florida.. yes Irene. What a powerful force she is. HAHA just a little humor for you too.

Hugs and kisses 
Cyndi

Hey Pop,
Wanted to say that I miss you more and more each day. Been through some testing and some trials lately but through it all I remembered that God had me no matter what. I know you are resting in the arms of Jesus and it still makes me smile when I think of just how happy you are right now. I can only imagine but know that I will be with you some day.

Hello Daddy its me again. Just want to send both you, mom and Dorothy my love hugs and kisses too! I know it is not the same as your hugs and kisses when you were here with me, but it will have to do for now until we meet again. I hope your new home is everything that you hoped it would be, more beautiful than here I am sure. Rest in Peace my father. Mom has been gone 29 years today and I miss her as I do you every day. Parents ae a blessing to have and when they are gone ther is a BIG hole in my heart. Love you always

Good Morning Daddy,
It has been a long four months since you passed and days are still very hard to get through with out you. I know you are there watching over me and my sisters as you promised you would do. Thank you for all your love you gave to me and for all the wonderful times together. Just wanted you to know that I think of you every day and I hope the decisions I make are the right ones. I am almost finished with all the repairs to your home and I hope you would have approved them. Rest in peace until we talk again.
Love and hugs every day to you my father..Oh say hello to Mom and Dorothy, Charlotte, Lynne and Jason too..Love you Cyndi

To the family, 

Your Dad was truly a Man of God. He instilled so much into your lives, that you will instill in your children and grandchildren. He will be truly missed, but we know that he is with his Heavenly Father. Love you guys.

Pop, 
Gee today would have been one of those days when I would need to call and talk to you so that I could let you know just how scared I am. You have been with me through every sickness in my life and always have been an inspiration of strength and encouragement to keep looking to the Lord. It is because you always encouraged me in this way that I as I got some bad news today from the doctor that I could look straight to the Lord for my strength and guidance. I know that this illness will not overtake me that the Lord and you will guide me through the next steps that must be taken. I can hear your voice in my head telling me not to worry and to persevere in all things, to keep serving the Lord and He will take care of all things. I love ya, pop and I so miss you during this time of trial and testing once again for me in my faith. I will carry on in faith and in the promise I made to you to see that your great grandchildren would be raised in a Christian atmosphere. That promise to you alone gives me strength to face what I must do next. I cannot wait to see you again when the Lord calls me home. I know that you have already heard the Lord say to you, "Well done good and faithful servant." I cannot wait to hear those words from our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Pop, you are missed and much loved. You are truly my hero.

As a woke up this morning at 3
am I could not go back to sleep just thinking about you my father. As time goes by I remember so many days that we shared together just hoping to have one more day with you. If I knew then what I do now I would have spent more time and special moments with you. I will forever hold you close to my heart every day. I love and miss you more than I ever thought it would be possible Daddy.
Your loving daughter Cyndi

As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.

Jim - You are on my mind and in my heart every day. Your kindness and friendship is something I will always treasure. I miss you but know that you are at peace and wrapped in God's loving arms.

I will always take you every where in my heart and remember you as the loving father you have been to me. I will see you again in heaven and rejoice together. Your loving daugther Cyndi

OBITUARY

James W. Gillies Jr.

May 6, 1925 – March 24, 2011

Woodlawn Funeral Home & Memorial Park

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