Dorothy Gilliam Zellers

Dorothy Gilliam Zellers

On Sunday, May 1, 2022, Dorothy Gilliam Zellers, loving mother of two sons, passed away at the age of 97.

Dorothy was born on April 19, 1925, in Atlanta, Georgia, to Paul H. (Sr.) and Clara Stewart. She received a double major BA degree in French and English from Agnes Scott College in Decatur, GA in 1948. Dorothy worked for more than thirty years as an advertising copywriter for the M. O’Neil Company department store in downtown Akron, and at one time was the head of the department.

In 1948 she married Joe Sykes Gilliam. Together, they raised two sons, Tad and Jeffrey, and were married for 38 years until Joe’s death in 1986. Later, she found love a second time, when she married Paul Claire Zellers in 1997. Paul passed away in 2005.

Dorothy lived a rich and rewarding life and was blessed with two sons and husbands who loved her.

Her passions included playing bridge, journalism, art, gardening, flower arranging, musical theater, international travel, and the love of tea.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her father Paul Sr. and mother Clara, her brother Paul Jr., and by husbands Joe and Paul. She is survived by her sons Tad and Jeffrey, several nieces and nephews, and additional family members.

A memorial service for Dorothy will be held at a future date.

Services in care of The Billow Funeral Homes & Crematory, Fairlawn Chapel, 85 N Miller Road  Akron, OH  44333.