Manley Gene Gilliam

Mr. Manley Gene Gilliam, aged 74, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 13 in his home in Santa Rosa Beach Florida surrounded by friends and family.

Manley Gene Gilliam was born December 26th, 1941, in Lexington Tennessee, the son of Ernest Manley Gilliam and Abbie Blankenship Gilliam, later Abbie Blankenship Austin. Manley spent many of his formative years closely with his Grandfather Abe Blankenship and Grandmother Bertie Blankenship where he developed a strong work ethic and an understanding of agriculture near Saltillo Tennessee. Manley furthered his early education by attending Castle Heights Military Academy in Lebanon Tennessee. Mr. Gilliam continued his education and received an Associate’s Degree in Arts from Cumberland University, and a Bachelor’s in Science from the University of Tennessee- Martin.

Initially, Mr. Gilliam spent the first part of his career as a teacher, coach, and principal in county school systems in both Tennessee and Illinois. In June of 1966, Mr. Gilliam joined Uniroyal Chemical Company working in the Army Ammunition Plant in Kankakee Illinois where he did his part to support the US efforts during the Vietnam War. In January of 1969, Mr. Gilliam was promoted to work in the Agricultural Products Division of Uniroyal which eventually became Chemtura Agro Solutions. After 47 years in the Chemical business, Mr. Gilliam had a brief retirement of 3 weeks, until he decided he was happiest working in that industry and started work with Drexel Chemical Company when he was 70 years of age, and remained a devoted employee until his recent death. Many people in the Agriculture and Chemical industries have looked to Mr. Manley Gilliam as a friend and mentor. In Manley’s free time, he loved to work in his yard and work with his hands building and restoring properties. He also enjoyed watching University of Tennessee Vols Football.

Mr. Gilliam leaves behind a loving wife, Mary Bourne Gilliam, of Santa Rosa Beach. Manley Gilliam is also survived by a son Brent Manley Gilliam, his wife Tammy Gilliam, and a daughter Cynthia Totty, and her husband Jerry Totty. Mr. Gilliam has two Granddaughters, Brooke Totty Jordan and Saylor Dae Gilliam, and one Grandson Parker Manley Gilliam.