Wanda Virginia Huddleston Gilliand

Virginia, as she was known, was born March 21, 1938 in Nashville, Arkansas to Grover and Ethel Huddleston. She met her heavenly father on October 24, 2026 in Lafayette, Louisiana. She enjoyed living on like Claiborne for many years, fishing, Hobby Lobby, Walmart, cooking, gardening, and being a member of Wesley Chapel with her many friends whom she cherished.

She leaves behind a family whom she truly loved and cherished. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren were her pride and joy, and she carried deep love and affection for each of them. Virginia’s legacy is one of strength, Faith and family. She lived her life with purpose, compassion, and deep love.

Virginia was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 34 years, Bill Gilliand, her parents, and her brothers and sister-in-law‘s. She was also preceded in death by her half-brother and half-sisters.

Being the youngest of the siblings, and the only girl, she was always their baby sister. She loved her brother’s deeply, and they treated her like the queen of the family. Growing up in Arkansas, through tough times, she never felt those times because of the love in her family. Her brothers gave her six sisters when they married of whom she loved deeply. Her close knit, large family is one of her fondest and treasured memories.

She is survived by her son, Steve McKenzie and wife Angela of Benton, LA; her daughter, Jan McKenzie of Lafayette, LA; daughter, Pam Greber and husband Tony of Youngsville, LA; two grandchildren, Dr. Eric Greber and wife Lauren of Thibodeaux, LA; Ashlee Moore and husband Kane of Lafayette, LA; seven great-grandchildren, Luke, John William, James, and Genevieve Greber, Greyson and Adelyn Shexnyder, and Dominik Moore; along with her nieces and nephews; 1 sister-in-law, Janice Huddleston; and her special boy, Benji.

Spending time with her kids, grandkids, and especially her great-grandkids, was the joy of her life.

God knows when a sparrow falls to the ground, and He was there to pick our beloved mother, grandmother, and great grandmother up. Our God is merciful, and although we were not ready for her to leave us, she is now resting in his arms eternally.

Pallbearers will be Steve McKenzie, Tony Greber, Eric Greber, Luke Greber, Kane Moore, and Johnny Huddleston.

Honorary pallbearers will be her great-grandsons, John William, James, Greyson, and Dominik.

Virginia’s family would like to express their gratitude for the visits, love, compassion and countless prayers given to her over the years.

Please join us for a celebration of life on October 28, 2026 at 11 A.M. at Wesley Chapel Church of Homer, in Homer, LA with Dr. Pat Bates officiating. There will be a visitation beginning at 10 A.M., prior to the service. An interment will follow the service at Olive Branch Methodist Cemetery in Caledonia, AR.