Ferne (Back) Gillum

Ferne Gillum went to dance on the streets of heaven on May 23, 2024. She was born in Olive Hill, Kentucky on March 12,1932 to Sisie Ellen Bach and Theodore Rayburn.

Above all, Ferne’s life was defined by sharing joy in Christ. She was a member of The Wesleyan Church where she was active over the years in the choir, Sunday school teacher and nursery. Ferne loved music, poetry, and reading her bible. She walked through life with a gentle strength, touching the lives of everyone she encountered with an unforgettable grace. She married William Noah Gillum on May 4, 1951 and they had three children.

Ferne is survived by her children, Carolyn (Allen) Hamilton and Manuel Lee Gillum; grandchildren, Lisa (David) Rose, Ginger (Neil) Thomas, Timothy McCallister, Heidi Gillum, Chad (Laura) Hamilton and Brook (Jarrod) Hardin. She also has fifteen great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her husband, William Noah Gillum; daughter, Jennifer Joy Gillum; and granddaughter, Shallis Lee Gillum. She loved her family dearly and made sure they all knew how much they meant to her.

Celebration services will be held at The First Wesleyan Church, 1908 Park Avenue West, Ontario, on May 31, 2024, with calling hours 12 pm - 1 pm and service directly after. A burial service will follow at Oak Grove in Lexington, Ohio.

As Ferne prioritized finding joy in life and sharing it with others, the family asks that you do the same - go out and do something that brings you real joy and share it with those around you.

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