Global Ministries is saddened to learn of the death of Carol Gilley
Carol Ann Cannon Gilley
November 18, 1936 – September 19, 2016
Carol C. Gilley died on Monday, September 19, 2016 at home in Deansboro, NY. Born November 18, 1936, to Carrie Alta Bullock Cannon and Guy Henry Cannon in Saginaw, Michigan, she was 79.
Carol graduated from Midland High School in Midland, Michigan, and then earned a Bachelor of Arts in Kindergarten and Primary Education from Oberlin College. Later, she took educational courses from Columbia University and earned a master´s degree in linguistics from American University, Washington, DC. She spoke Portuguese, Zulu, Siswati, and Xitswa.
Appointed by the United Church Board for World Ministries (now Global Ministries) in 1963, Carol began her 38 year missionary career at Ifafa Mission Station near Umzinto, South Africa where she was both a student of the Zulu language and a teacher until 1969. From 1969 through 1974, Carol continued working in Southern Africa with the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa (UCCSA). While there, she and her family lived in Durban, South Africa. She continued to teach in Durban, but also added writing Sunday School curriculum to her responsibilities. In 1974 through 1977, Carol was assigned to the Zululand Churches Health and Welfare Association (HELWEL) at Kwa Magwaza, in Melmoth, South Africa. She taught in community development training programs for church and community leaders, especially the HELWEL literacy program.
Swaziland became the family’s new home in 1978 where they stayed until 1985. In Swaziland, Carol worked for the Anglican Diocese of Swaziland, residing in Mbabane. While in Mbabane, Carol provided language instruction and ministry to refugees and prisoners. During 1986 and 1987, Carol studied at American University and earned a master’s degree in linguistics, specializing in teaching English as a foreign language.
From 1988 to 1997 Carol was assigned to the Inhambane Region of the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa – Mozambique Synod. She was a resident at Balaza, near Maxixe, Mozambique where she was a teacher at Zakewu Likumbe Bible School. Carol taught English, sewing, music, Sunday School preparation, adult literacy, and study skills to Bible School students and church leaders. In 1998 the Common Global Ministries Board assigned Carol to the Kuruman Moffat Mission Trust, this time in Kuruman, South Africa. While in Kuruman, she was the librarian of the Robert Moffat Library and developed a program for early childhood development. Carol retired in 2002 and settled in Deansboro, NY.
In retirement, Carol was an avid gardener and a committed grandmother. She attended many Hamilton College performing arts events and lectures, as well as plays and musical performances by her grandchildren and great nephews. She enjoyed the Cooperstown Glimmerglass opera. Carol was a member, deacon, and church council member of the Deansboro Congregational United Church of Christ. Carol also served as secretary and treasurer of the Marshall Historical Society.
Carol Gilley is survived by her husband Lawrence C. Gilley; three children: Glenda J. Ward, Sharon T. Rippey and Jon L. Gilley; their spouses, Raymond Ward, Mackay Rippey and Michelle Gilley; and seven grandchildren: Cassandra and Sarah Ward, Aurora, Gabrielle, and Jasmine Rippey; and Ian and Cameron Gilley. Other relatives include Lawrence´s sister Jackie Michel and her husband Peter; sisters Leah Atwater and Dorothy Piegols and their husbands John Atwater and Alvin Piegols; and brother Glen Cannon and his wife Linda. Carol is predeceased by her sister, Lucille Cannon Hockemeyer.
Condolences may be sent to the family in care of her husband, Reverend Lawrence Gilley, P.O. Box 277, Deansboro, NY 13328. Memorial gifts may be made to the Marshall Historical Society, P.O. Box 232, Deansboro, NY 13328.