Gregory Gilyard

~ GREGORY GILYARD OBITUARY ~ A LIMB HAS fallen from the family tree that says, “Grieve not for me. Remember the BEST TIMES, The laughter, the songs The GOOD LIFE I lived while I was STRONG.” Elder Gregory Allen Gilyard, the son of the late Mrs. Corine L. Gilyard Aigoro, was born April 21,1955, in Philadelphia, PA. He was adopted and raised by his grandparents, the late Mr. & Mrs. William (Catherine) Gilyard, Jr. Elder Gilyard entered into eternal rest on Wednesday, October 7, 2020 in Augusta, GA. Elder Gilyard committed his life to the Lord Jesus Christ in his early 20’s. He was ordained an Elder by Bishop Ronald E. Brown of Faith Tabernacle Deliverance Temple, Orangeburg, SC where he served in various capacities of ministry. After relocating to Augusta, GA. Elder Gregory united with several ministries where he was known not only for his dynamic preaching but his teaching of the bible which earned him the title “Bible Scholar.” He played the keyboard, wrote songs, directed the choir, and he even wrote and directed a play. His greatest passion in ministry was to win souls for Christ and teach the word of God. Elder Gilyard attended Christ the King Cathelic School grades K-6, Felton Laboratory School at South Carolina State University and graduated from Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School. He received the Bachelor of Science in Professional Biology with a minor in Sociology from Claflin University, Orangeburg, SC. Because of his well-known ardor for mental health, Elder Gregory acquired a Master of Arts in Rehabilitation Counseling from South Carolina State University, Orangeburg, SC and became a Licensed Professional Counselor. In 1973, Elder Gilyard became a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated via Lambda Sigma Chapter of Omega of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated at Claflin University. His professional life began at Fort Gordon, GA where he was an Education Specialist. Elder Gilyard later worked as a Counselor/Addiction Counselor at Eisenhower Army Medical, Department of Psychiatry and Neurology, Fort Gordon, GA. His intense drive for families in crisis led Elder Gilyard to serve as an Intensive Family Intervention Coordinator for Advantage Counseling Services, Augusta, GA. In January 2009, he decided to establish his own counseling service, Positive Solutions Family Enrichment Services, Inc. He was certified in Traumatic Brain Injury and CBT, Documentation Training, Ethic on Trial, Alcohol and Chemical Dependency in the Profession and Treatment of Sex Offenders. On June 1,1979, Elder Gilyard married Gwendolyn A. Badger. From this union came three children: Ephesha, Tamara Holliday (DeShawn) and Brian. Elder Gregory was preceded in death by the following siblings: Mr. Leroy Gilyard and Master David James Gilyard; Mrs. Thelma Haggerty, Mrs. Corine Aigoro, Ms. Bertha Gilyard, Mrs. Willie Lou Gabriel, Mrs. Beulah Caldwell, Mrs. Deloris Simmons, Mrs. Ruby Harmon and Mrs. Mildred Thomas. Elder Gilyard leaves to cherish his memories, one son, Mr. Brian k. Gilyard and two daughters, Ms. Ephesha S. Gilyard and Mrs. Tamara L. Holliday (DeShawn) all of Augusta, GA; two brothers Mr. Babatunde Aigoro of Virginia Beach , VA and Mr. William Gilyard III (Dianne) of Augusta, GA; three sisters, Mrs. Vivian Brannon of Orangeburg, SC, Ms. Jacqueline Gilyard of New York and Mrs. Brunnette Jamison (Leroy) of Orangeburg, SC; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and special friends. For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have finished my course, I have kept the faith - 2Timothy 4:6-7 …”and the time has come for my departure, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” Visitation will be Friday, October 23, 2020 from 2 - 6 PM at C.A. Reid Sr. Memorial Funeral Home.