Obituary of Freddie Ann Gilland Harris

Our beloved mother and grandmother, Freddie Ann Gilland Harris entered her heavenly home on July 10, 2024. 

Born in Greeneville, Tennessee on November 17, 1937, to Clephane Tweed and James Henry Gilland. As the sixth of seven siblings, she lived on a small farm that instilled a lifetime love of gardening. After graduating from Greeneville High School, she attended Columbia Hospital School of Nursing in Columbia, SC. During that time, she met and married her beloved husband, William Emerson Harris. They were married for over 65 years and reared five children.  

Freddie Ann enjoyed hosting her family for holiday and birthday celebrations. She found pleasure in serving her family and others. Her family enjoyed her southern cooking and looked forward to eating her chicken and dumplings, country fried steak, and home-grown vegetables. She loved her Lord and Savior, taught Sunday School, led Bible study and prayer groups throughout her life. She had lifelong friendships with those she met from her hometown, nursing school, neighbors and church. 

After her children were grown, Freddie Ann completed her B.S. Degree in Business. Then she turned her attention to a cause that she became known for, and became an advocate for the elderly. She worked with the Council on Aging, Meals on Wheels and the Lowman Home.

She loved having her grandchildren visit the cabin and many lasting memories were made during those special times. She would tell her grandchildren when they visited, it made her day, but Granna made their world a better place. With her deep love and abiding faith her deepest desire was for everyone to know her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

She was a longtime member of Dutch Fork Baptist Church in Ballentine, SC.  Recently, a member of Kershaw Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Kershaw, SC.

She is survived by her children; Cindy Gibbs (Wynn) of Hilton Head Island, SC, Terri Orred (Tom) of Kershaw, SC, Billy Harris (Connie) of Tarpon Springs, FL., Kim Eckstrom (John) of Columbia, SC, and Jimmy Harris of Kershaw, SC; 11 grandchildren, Miller Wofford, Mary Wynn Gibbs Sauvageau (Christopher), Stuart Gibbs, Lauren Ann Williams, James Williams (Katherine), Robert Harris, Ellen Harris, Grace Harris, Harris Eckstrom (Alannah), Pete Eckstrom (Chelsea), Caroline Eckstrom ; 2 great grandchildren, Adaline Eckstrom and Clara Eckstrom; sisters-in-law Betty Gilland and Romayne Gilland; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by siblings; Leonard Gilland, James C. Gilland, Kyle Gilland, Hugh Gilland, Pauline Hayes and Charlie Fay Hawk. 

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:30 am on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, at Powers Funeral Home with burial to follow in Fort Jackson National Cemetery in Columbia, SC. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Kershaw Evangelical Presbyterian Church – PO Box 611, Kershaw, SC 29067.