Linda Ann Gilliland

Linda Ann Gilliland

Linda Ann Gilliland, age 80, of Marianna, Florida, stepped into Heaven peacefully on Saturday, January 31, 2026, in Marianna, Florida. Linda was born in Oceanside, California on June 29, 1945.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Verner and Edna Rowles of West Palm Beach, Florida. 

Known by her family as “Mawmaw,” she is survived by her husband of 65 years, Roland Gilliland, her children and (spouses): Tod (Tina) Gilliland, Darlene (Pete) Kinney, Brad (Melissa) Gilliland, Brian (Bonnie) Gilliland, and Robert (Faith) Gilliland. Her proudest legacies are her eleven grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. 

Linda was raised in West Palm Beach, Florida and met her husband and love of her life, Roland, in Boynton Beach, Florida in 1958. They married on August 20, 1960 and began their life in West Palm Beach, where they raised their five children. Linda made her commitment of faith in Jesus when she was 25, which radically changed her perspective on life, family, and love.  After Roland and Linda made a commitment to ministry in 1982, they moved to Marianna, Florida to pursue a degree in ministry from the Baptist Bible Institute (currently, Baptist University of Florida). For 43 years, Linda served numerous churches beside Roland and worked as secretary for First Baptist Church of Marianna and Chipola Baptist Association of Marianna for 20 of those years. 

Most know Linda as one who poured into the lives of children, youth, and the underprivileged. She engaged people with her beautiful, piercing blue eyes as they conveyed compassion and her “time to get serious” look. She found much joy in cooking and any form of hospitality as her home was always filled with family, friends, and laughter…as well as great cooking. 

At the end of her life, Linda knew she would be walking with her Lord Jesus in Heaven; to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. 

All are welcome at the family and friends reception at Morningside Church in Tallahassee, Florida (1560 Pedrick Road, Tallahassee, FL 32317) on Friday, February 6, 2026 from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. EST. 

A graveside service will be held at Cypress Community Cemetery in Grand Ridge, FL (6285 Cemetery Avenue, Grand Ridge, FL 32442) on Saturday, February 7, 2026  at 11:00 A.M. CST with Pastor Brian Gilliland officiating and Marianna Chapel Funeral Home directing. Friends and family are invited to attend. 

Funeral services are entrusted to the Lambe Family at Marianna Chapel Funeral Home