Petersburg Pilot -

Sarah Ellen Culbertson Gilliland, 81 of Petersburg, Alaska slipped quietly away from us to be with her Savior, Jesus, on Dec. 2, 2019 in Redmond, Oregon.

She was born in Stuttgart, Arkansas on April 10, 1938 and was the loved wife of Harvey Gilliland for nearly 51 years. They became the parents of William C. Gilliland on July 13, 1971 and Emily C. Elam on Nov. 11, 1973.

She graduated from Arkansas A&M University with a Bachelor's degree in education. She was a primary grade teacher in Benton, Arkansas, Tillar, Arkansas, Lake Charles, Louisiana and finally for one year in Petersburg, Alaska.

In August of 1968 she helped carry books from the old 3-story school to the newly constructed Rae C. Stedman Elementary School. Sarah and Harvey met that fall and were married in Grand Prairie, Texas on April 6, 1969.

She was a piano player from about age 10 until her mid-seventies. Serving the church through her talent as a pianist was one of the greatest parts of her life and she loved to play the piano at home up to two hours daily. Sarah also taught piano and was a homeschool teacher to several youngsters for a time.

Some things that Sarah enjoyed about living in Alaska were cranberry, blueberry and huckleberry picking and going to the end of the road for picnics with beach bonfires.

Sarah is survived by: Husband Harvey; son William (April); daughter Emily; sister Ruth Annette Reed; grandchildren Abigail LaFollette, Cody Gilliland, Trevor and Kelsie Elam; and nephew Mark Reed and niece Jessica Graddy.

A memorial service will be held at the Petersburg Bible Church at 11:00 A.M. on Sat., Dec 14 with a public viewing to be held from 10:00 - 10:50 A.M.