Keturah Gilliam

Kuturah Gilliam, age 64, went to her eternal rest on April 28, 2022, with her family by her side in Charleston, South Carolina.

She was born on April 19, 1958, in The Bronx, N.Y., to Clyde and Katie Gilliam.  father was a dedicated N.Y.C. Transit Railroads-man and her mother worked for the N.Y.C. Telephone Company and later retired from the N.Y.C. Police Department.

Keturah grew up in "The Projects" of Soundview, in the Bronx, as an Israelite.  (If you ever wondered where she got part of her toughness from) it is with these teachings that she lived her life spirited and joyful. Even in her youth, peacemaker... always finding ways to bring to a people common ground.

Keturah attended grade and middle school in the neighborhood where she was reared. She attended Andrew Jackson High School in Queens, New York. She was a very well-rounded student...very active in student-body leadership and she excelled academically. Keturah also sang in her school chorus using that beautiful voice God bless her with.

She later use that voice to sing professionally for a while with her sister and other family members. Keturah also worked as a paraprofessional for the Board of Education helping students to overcome their academic challenges. As a matter of fact, helping people was indeed her life's calling. She personified the art of "Giving". Everyone who knew her knew her heart. She was always sharing a piece of it either in words of encouragement, sound advice, or sometimes a song, which she had for every occasion, (especially birthdays), or just her witty perspective--- which always brought lots of laughter. 

As an adult, Keturah worked for several years in the New York City Health & Hospital/Medical Field, as a Social Worker and Office Supervisor, further helping people to cope with the challenges of life. At the same time, she was a skilled entrepreneur where she and her husband Bill ran a strong merchandising business called KABS.  Here they helped people improve their health and increase their personal growth and income, all through small business development. Their business was very successful on many levels and they were highly regarded and deeply loved by many of their business partners. 

Keturah continued to answer the call to help others by working for the Department of Social Services here in South Carolina. To better equip herself with the needed skillsets to care for her clients. she attended and graduated from Trident Technical College receiving an Associate Degree in Public Service Human Services. She later completed and received her Bachelor of Science Degree from Springfield College. She strongly believe in education and made sure she was  knowledgeable to take on any task.  

Keturah was a devoted wife, a loving mother, a honored grandmother, a great great grandmother, a caring sister, a fun loving Auntie, a compassionate friend, but most of all, she was a God fearing woman. She was a dynamic, down to earth person who believed in God, & loved her family. She was my 1st love. We all will miss her.

Predeceased by her husband William Artis; her father, Clyde Gilliam; her mother Katie Gilliam; & her sisters Miriam G. Abdul-Wadud & Charmaine Blake. Keturah leaves to cherish her memory: her children, Lemuel (Alta) & Joh'nette; her sisters Jo-Ann & Samaria; her brothers Terah & David; her grandchildren, Christopher & Leauntea; & her great-grandchildren, Christopher (CJ), Malia, and Carter. She also leaves behind a host of in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, and a long list of friends near and far.

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