Percy Lee Gilyard

Mr. Percy Lee Gilyard, 87, left us peacefully on August 5 at his home, surrounded by family and his caregiver. Percy was born on May 14, 1938, in Round Pond, Arkansas, to James and Pashion Gilyard. Percy was the fourth youngest of thirteen brothers and sisters.

Percy was a quiet and obedient child. He loved his papa and adored his mama. In his early twenties, he moved to Chicago, Illinois, where he met and married his wife, Luttie, on December 3, 1962. Shortly after marriage, he and his family relocated to Saginaw, Michigan, because he thought Chicago was too busy. He was employed by the General Motors Grey Iron Casting Plant in 1964. After retiring from the plant, he spent most of his days enjoying his family. He was a member of Zion Valley Missionary Baptist church, where he served on the treasury board and choir.

Percy enjoyed singing, cooking, especially making his corn bread dressing and sweet potato pies. He also loved fishing and working on cars. Speaking of cars, you cannot forget how much he loved his white Cadillac. Percy was a strong, devoted, reliable, dependable, and loyal man. A simple yet complex person with a quiet soul. A man of few words, but when he spoke, people listened. If you had him for a friend, then you had a friend for life.

Although Luttie was his backbone, Percy was the glue that held everything together. He will be missed by those who knew and loved him.

Percy leaves to cherish his memory four daughters, Tanita Jackson, Augusta, GA, Yolanda Frierson, and Rochelle Burch, both of Saginaw, MI, and Karla Williams, Hampton, GA; one son, Kirk Gilyard, Saginaw, MI; one stepson, William Jr. (Anita) Frierson, Flint, Michigan; 19 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; 7 great-great grandchildren; one sister, Martha Jackson, Chicago, Il; two brothers, Elijah (Gwen) Gilyard, and James Gilyard, both of Saginaw, MI; one brother-in-law, Gary Nichols, Flint, MI; many nieces, nephews, and cousins

Percy was preceded in death by his wife, Luttie Mae Gilyard; parents, James and Pashion Gilyard; siblings, McKinnely, Edward, Willie, Margaret, Stella Mae, Lorraine, Florence, Thomas, and Clarence; and one granddaughter, LaThesia Gilyard.