Meredythe Jane Lawrence Gilliam

Meredythe Jane Lawrence Gilliam, age 81, of Asheboro, North Carolina, passed away on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026, at Clapp's Convalescent Nursing Home.

Meredythe was born on Jan. 16, 1945, in Abington, Pennsylvania, to the late Russell George Lawrence and Helen Margaret Lawrence.

Meredythe shared 30 beautiful years with her beloved husband, Robert "Bob" Gilliam, 26 of them in marriage. The two were inseparable and truly did everything together. A humble and deeply loving mother and grandmother, her family and her cherished dogs were the center of her world.

Driven by a deep passion for education and a genuine love for her students, Meredythe dedicated over 30 years of her life to a fulfilling career as a teacher and enjoyed running into her former students and catching up with them. 

Outside of the classroom, she possessed a vibrant spirit and believed in sampling a little bit of everything life had to offer. She was an avid reader who could easily finish three or four books in a single week, and she always looked forward to a fun night out dancing. While she had a wonderful palate and absolutely loved seafood, her family will always laugh remembering her absolute hatred for oatmeal.

Meredythe also had a profound love for the beach and exploring the world. She and Bob traveled extensively, with the warm sands of Aruba becoming one of their favorite shared getaways.

She is survived by her husband, Robert "Bob" Gilliam; her daughter, Ashlee Mullinax and her husband, Mark; her sons, Kyle Fisher and his wife, Leah, and Jaime Fisher and his wife, Emilee; her step-daughters, Carolyn Dunnavant and her husband, Eddie, and Anne Blair and her husband, Scott; her grandchildren, Allison, Hailey, Nadia, Addison, Bridger, and Wyatt.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, Nov. 6, 2026, at 2 p.m. in the Glenn "Mac" Pugh Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Clapp's Convalescent Nursing Home. Additionally, in honor of Meredythe's fun and vibrant personality, the family requests that instead of traditional funeral attire, guests wear their favorite sports team apparel or beach attire.

Pugh Funeral Home in Asheboro is serving the family.