Nan Reid Gilmore

Nan was born in Spartanburg, South Carolina to her childhood sweetheart parents, William and Aileen Reid. Her father was transferred to Michigan where cold weather and ice skating were enjoyed. Nan and her four year younger brother Bill were once skating on “thin ice” and Bill fell through the broken ice. Nan pulled him out. They would forever retell that story for years to come around the Thanksgiving table of “Nan’s rescue of Bill”. Baby brother Ron was born when Nan was twelve years old. She was his “built in babysitter”. One day, Ron came crying home after being bit by a dog on his mouth. Nan ran out to see the “fuss“ and saw her mom putting him in the car. She looked at him and fainted. Her mom had to take them both to the doctor for Ron’s stitches.

Nan’s family transferred to sunny St. Petersburg FL to alleviate her allergies. They lived a short walk to the Tampa Bay where the family enjoyed water sports and boating. Often times, she and her brothers would take their dad for a quick spin across the wakes. They loved to laugh and have fun. Nan met Wylie when she was in the 2nd grade and he was in 3rd. They met through church youth groups and shared same friends. When Nan graduated from High School she attended St Pete Junior College and worked part time as a dental assistant. She wanted to be a flight attendant but was “height challenged”. When Wylie returned from the Korean War, they started dating. They fell in love and married December 19, 1959. They moved to Tallahassee Florida for Wylie to start his degree at Florida State University. They bought their first mobile home and moved to the married housing park. Nan worked in the registrar office for athletes in academic probation.

Wylie went to work for Sears Roebuck and Company and they moved 13 times total with the company over their almost 65 years of marriage. Nan never met a stranger and always wanted to be involved in the community and church. She played piano for children’s church choirs, attended Bible studies, enjoyed the garden clubs in Atlanta, and neighborhood gourmet groups.

Glenda joined the family in December of 1968 after nine years of marriage. Nan enjoyed every season of life. Nan started tennis lessons in Atlanta GA when Glenda was in preschool. She played team tennis for 40 years. She enjoyed playing with family and friends making wonderful memories. Nan volunteered in Glenda’s various grades as homeroom mom, PTA , and chaperoning functions. She made special birthday cakes in shapes of pianos and castles that were “tricky” to transport. Nan welcomed sleepovers for Glenda, and her friends were always around. Glenda married Greg Gaul (her tennis partner’s son) in 1991. Nan and Glenda always remained close and talked on the phone or person nearly every day. Nan’s faith and love for the Lord impacted her family and friends. She had a heart for prayer and tucked many verses in her heart to pray for people. Coffee and Jesus were the start of her day.

Nan and Wylie moved to The Woodlands in 2007 to be near the grandkids, Kaileen and Connor. They enjoyed being around for “ice cream talks”, school plays, mall trips and watching them play tennis or whatever sport it was. Nanna and Grandad enjoyed their role. Nan enjoyed every season. Nan and Wylie joined the team to greet visitors on Sunday mornings at Crossroads Baptist. Nan was not shy and loved making people feel welcomed. Finally, she enjoyed the card ministry when she was unable to attend church. She never stopped serving her Lord. Nan was a devoted wife, mom, Nanna, friend and loved her Lord Jesus.

Preceded in death by her parents, William T Reid and Aileen Whitlock Reid. Nan Gilmore is survived by her husband Wylie H Gilmore, her daughter Glenda G Gaul, son in-love Greg R Gaul, granddaughter Kaileen G Suneson, grandson Connor R Gaul, her brothers William T Reid 2, and Ronald David Reid, nieces Lori Dee Rego, Heather Reid Alaras, nephews Keith Braham, William T Reid 3, and Forrest David Reid.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Nan's name to samaritanspurse.org (PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607).

A memorial service for Nan will be held Monday, December 2, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Forest Park The Woodlands Funeral Home & Cemetery, 18000 Interstate 45 S, The Woodlands, TX 77384, followed by a reception from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM.