Sylvia Ruth Gilliland

Sylvia “Ruth” Gilliland, age 82 of Rockford, passed away Thursday, June 20, 2024 at her home. Ruth loved to take long walks and working in her garden with her flowers. She was a loving and devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend who will be deeply missed by those who knew her. Preceded in death by her parents, Staley and Hazel McClanahan; sister, Phyllis Nicholson; brothers, Gordon Jones, Harold Emerson McClanahan, Ronald Lee McClanahan, and Jerry McClanahan, Survivors include her daughter, Kimberly Brown; grandchildren and their spouses, Nathaniel and Carrie Brown, Nicholas and Teri Brown, and Kaytlyn and Luke Young; great-grandchildren, Ivy, Parker, and Cooper Brown; sisters, Elnora McClanahan, Shirly Kelso, and Martha Hardin; sister-in-law, Sandy McClanahan; brothers, Loy McClanahan and Marvin McClanahan; several nieces, nephews, and other family also survive. Family and friends will assemble at 11:00 am on Thursday, June 27, 2024 at Marble Hill Baptist Church Cemetery with Elder Dennis holt officiating. Condolences may be shared through Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com