This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: Lace_Lynch Surnames: WELLS Classification: obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.wells/5227/mb.ashx Message Board Post: A Celebration of Life Service for Phoebe Louise Gilham, 100, of Westerville, Ohio formerly of Newark, Ohio will be held on Friday, October 30, 2009 at 12:00 p.m. at Trinity A.M.E. Church, 64 East Church Street, Newark, Ohio with Rev. Michael C. Menefield officiating. Burial will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery, Newark,(Licking County) Ohio. Mrs. Gilham was born in Emerson,(Jefferson County) Ohio on October 11, 1909 to the late Michael James and Mildred Jane (Miller) Wells. She was raised and attended school in McDonald, Pennsylvania. In 1929, at age 19, she moved to Newark, Ohio. A few years later, she met and married John Lee Gilham in 1934. She went to be with the Lord on October 27, 2009 at the Columbus Colony Elderly Care facility. Mrs. Gilham was the oldest living member of Trinity A.M.E. Church and has been an active member since 1929. She was a member of the Church's Stewardess Board and also the Usher Board. She worked for many years as an election poll worker. She enjoyed reading, shopping, watching soap operas, game shows and loved talking with people, as she knew no stranger. She also enjoyed traveling around the country and to the Holy Land. She was a great cook and was especially known for her apple cobbler. But most important in her life was her Lord and her family. She loved spending time with her daughter, grandchildren and great grandchildren; especially playing checkers. Survivors include one daughter, Mildred Burns of Westerville, Ohio; three grandchildren, Aaron, Andrea and Tania; three great grandchildren, DeAndre, Tiara and Joshua; and a host of relatives and friends. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, John L. Gilham in 1965; and two brothers, Oscar and William Wells. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Mrs. Gilham to Trinity AME Church. Family and friends may call at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Arrangements are entrusted to Criss-Schoedinger Funeral Home, 179 Granville Street, Newark, Ohio. Visit www.CrissSchoedinger.com to share a memory about Mrs. Gilham or to sign an online guest book. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.