Naomi N. Gills

On Monday, May 7, 1928, God breathed life into Naomi Nollis Gilchrist, and from that moment until Wednesday, December 25, 2024, when He called her home. A blessed life well lived, filled with love, family, and honoring her Savior, Jesus Christ.

Affectionately called “MeMa” by most, and to others “Mrs. Gills” and “Aunt Nollis,” was educated in the Princess Anne County school system, currently known as the City of Virginia Beach. MeMa often shared the adventures she had of walking to school, especially the memory with her brother Walter and cousin Leonard Lee, as they taunted animals they encountered along the way.

As a young, beautiful woman, MeMa was introduced by her father, the late Thomas Lee Gilchrist, Sr., to her pre-deceased husband, Junius L. Gills. They married on February 18, 1951. During their 60-year marriage, they shared the joy of traveling, eating out on Sundays for family dinner, hosting guests, and the joy of being blessed with nine beautiful children, of which two are deceased, the eldest bonus son, the late Rev. Bobbie J. Gills, and the eighth born, Roscoe Gills who died at childbirth.

MeMa was a stay-at-home Mom who loved and enjoyed cooking. She had so many favorite dishes to name that her family and many others loved. She also shared her services as a part-time domestic worker while raising her children until she was employed full-time by the City of Virginia Beach as a Cafeteria worker at (formally named) Brandon Jr. High in 1978. She fed many students there for many years until her retirement. Retirement did not end MeMa’s working career. She continued her domestic service to her community and became a caregiver and a personal companion to not just “clients” but her friends.  During that time, you would find MeMa taking them to various stores, outings, doctors & hair appointments. Her transporting & caretaking services concluded four years ago, at the age of 91, at the passing of Ruth B. Morris, her client, and dearest friend.

Attending church and being of service was a priority and a privilege for her. In her youth, she became a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, serving in the choir and many other capacities for many years. She later changed her membership and joined Solid Rock Christian Church under the leadership of her Son-in-love, Pastor Dr. James G. Austin, Jr., Manassas, VA. Locally, she loved to visit, support, interact, and fellowship with Little Zion Missionary Baptist Church, Mt. Bethel Baptist Church, Rehoboth Baptist Church, St. James Baptist Church, FavorNation Ministries, New Jerusalem Ministries and New Covenant Fellowship Baptist Church, where she regularly attended and was appointed an honorary “Golden Girl” under the current leadership of her Great-Great Nephew, Pastor Cory G. Doxey.  She was also a member of the Joy Senior Club, an established 50-year organization that allowed senior citizens to fellowship at different events and take day trips out of town during her attendance at Little Zion Missionary Baptist Church.

Along with cooking, she loved traveling, studying the Bible, listening to Quartet singers, singing, dancing, joking, watching her favorite dramas & sitcoms in the quiet of the day, and making you laugh by calling you another version of your birth name. MeMa lived a simple but impactful life and looked forward to every opportunity to interact with her siblings. She touched all she met. She simply loved you for who you were, without titles, a mother figure to so many, and invited anyone to her home to have a home-cooked meal. Community-minded, loving, and strong in spirit.

As depicted by one of MeMa’s favorite gospel songs, “When All God’s Children Get Together,” she has reunited with loved ones awaiting to rejoice with her, including Parents Thomas L. Gilchrist, Sr. & Marion Gilchrist; Husband: Junius, Brothers: Thomas Lee, Jr., William, James, John, Robbie, Reuben, Sr., Alphonso; Sisters: Annie, Ella Mae, Vernice and Great-granddaughter: Myla A. Morgan.

Those remaining to carry on MeMa’s beautiful legacy:

Siblings, Walter Gilchrist, Sr. Rosa Mae Joes, and Marion Vaughn; “Bonus” Daughter, Rev. Barbara M. King; Children: Valerie Austin (James), Andrew Gills, Carolyn Moore (Danny), Stephen Gills, Selwyn Gills and Glavia Blackwell; nine Grandchildren, two Grand Son-In-Laws, 13 Great-Grandchildren, one Great-Great-Grandchild, two Great-Granddogs and a large host of nieces, nephews, and cousins. A special niece, Sylvia Burford, and dear close friends Larnell & Laverne Smith, Jean Sykes, and Dea. George Evans.

A beautiful life given by God that humbly and graciously impacted all who had the pleasure to know and love.

MeMa will always be remembered quoting her favorite song, 

“ ‘If I Don’t Wake Up’ … in the morning, everything will be alright.”