Celebrating Viola Gilliam, another Stockbridge centenarian
compiled by Mary Jo David
(Special thanks to Heather Armstrong for collecting Viola’s story by reaching out to this Stockbridge centenarian through her daughter Joetta Young.)
According to an article called “The Language of Ageism” at dictionary.com, “Many people have raised objections to the words ‘senior’ and ‘elder(ly).'” Instead, the article explains, people are leaning toward the word “older.”
No matter what term you use to describe folks 55 and older or those who surpass the average U.S. life expectancy of 77 years, one thing is becoming evident—Stockbridge is a great place for seniors to grow older.
Soon after Stockbridge Community News featured the 100th birthday of our “hometown treasure” Dorene White in the November issue of “Clyde’s Corner,” SCN board members heard about another Stockbridge centenarian—Viola Gilliam—who turned 101 on Sept. 24. Yes, you read that correctly, Viola is 101! And she certainly didn’t get to the grand old age of 101 concerning herself about whether it’s better to use the word “senior” or “older”!
Viola (or “Vi”) Silcox was born, raised, and married in Dixon County, Virginia. At the age of 18 she left her parents and six siblings to marry William Garland Ashby (aka: “Jack”). Vi and Jack had one son and two daughters, and you just have to love their names: Ritzy, Joetta and Zella. Husband Jack worked at a shipyard and Viola was a stay-at-home mom.
Later, Viola met her second husband, Luster Gilliam in Ohio. The couple fostered newborns for 10 years. When they were in their early 40s, Vi and Luster attempted to adopt a young boy who was with them for two years, but unfortunately, they were told they were too old.
Vi and Luster eventually moved to Michigan, where they were very involved with the Ypsilanti Missionary Baptist Church, a church her husband helped to build. It wasn’t until 1991 that the Stockbridge chapter of Viola’s story began.
At the grand old age of 101, Viola has outlived her husbands, including her third husband, James Gilliam, who was Luster’s brother, and whom her kids referred to as “Papa J.”
Vi has six grandchildren; in fact, the family likes to recall the excitement when two of Vi’s daughters gave birth to their babies on the same day! And, like most families, Viola’s family continues to grow. At last count, she has 12 great-grandchildren, and 10 great-great-grandchildren.
She also has an amazing support system in her very large extended family. The Silcox family (Viola’s maternal relatives) meet each summer for a huge family reunion. Locally, Viola’s family still get together for special holidays each year.
Regardless of what others think about the word “senior,” Viola is making the most of it. She was a member of the first, unofficial senior center in Stockbridge, called the Golden Seniors. They met at the Township Hall where they played penny bingo and hosted potlucks. Now, many years later, she continues to meet with Stockbridge seniors at the newly opened Senior Center in town. She still plays bingo and follows her favorite TV shows.
Her church life has always been a strong focus for Viola, and she spent plenty of years doing community work and visitations.
Viola enjoys sharing some words of wisdom passed on to her from one of her doctors who told her, “You’re not too old, you just lack concentration.” But according to her daughter Joetta, Viola’s favorite thing to do for many years was exercise. She regularly visited Curves and exercised consistently until she was 90 years old. Joetta believes that has played a huge part in why Vi is still going strong today. (Does that sound like someone who lacks concentration!)
Whether you know Viola through family, through church, or through the local community, anyone who knows her knows this: In all her 101 years, Viola has never met a stranger; she treats everyone warmly and with love.
Her family, her church, her fellow seniors, and exercise have combined to keep 101-year-old Viola Gilliam young at heart. Photo provided by Heather Armstrong.
