Joan Leigh Gilliland

Joan Leigh Gilliland, 85, of Madras, Oregon, passed away November 5, 2021, at East Cascade Assisted Living. She was born April 18, 1936, to parents Manson Gilliland and Tennessee Marie Gilliland (Molder) of Memphis, Tennessee. She graduated from Frayser High School in Memphis, Tennessee, and attended several colleges and graduated from University of Tennessee School of Dental Hygiene. She was a Registered Dental Assistant with several dentists from 1956 – 1987. She married the father of her children, William Hotchkiss, on March 31, 1956, at Schoolfi eld Memorial Methodist Church in Frayser, Tennessee, and she married Lowell (Gill) Gilliland, December 29, 1986. In 1987, She worked as a substitute at Madras High School and from 1989 - 1997, she worked as an Educational Assistant, assisting the teacher and tutoring special needs children. 1991 - 2013. She sold tickets at Madras High School at all home athletic events including football, volleyball, basketball and wrestling. During this time, she also had a daycare where she took care of two of her granddaughters, her grandson, and a few other children. Her hobbies included tennis, bowling (including being on bowling leagues), painting small fi gurines, loved to cook and entering items into the fair, such as baked goods and photography. She loved watching all different kinds of sports. Joan attended and enjoyed several events at the Elks Lodge with her husband. She was an amazing daughter, sister, aunt, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend and mentor to all that knew her. She will truly be missed. Joan will be lovingly remembered by her daughter, Debra Stoelting; son, David Hotchkiss (Mollie); daughter, Pamela Thomas (Chris); her grandchildren: Sean, Derrick, Ashleigh, Kelly, Cindi, Suzette, Jessica; four great-granddaughters; four great-grandsons; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Manson and Marie Gilliland; sister, Shirley; brother, Gene; her late husband, Lowell; fi rst husband, William; granddaughter, Jennifer; and great-grandson, Bentley. Memorial services will be held at the Elks Lodge Saturday, Dec. 11, from 1 to 4 p.m. A Memorial Fund has been set up at Mid Oregon Federal Credit Union in Madras under her name and if you would like to send flowers to the family please visit our fl oral store.

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