Ophelia Barnhill Gilleland, age 79, of Burgaw died Sunday, January 27, 2008 at Huntington Health Care of Burgaw.

She was born September 24, 1928 in Bladen County, the daughter of the late Johnny Franklin and Mollie Lou Bigford Almond. She was predeceased by her husband, S. L. Barnhill in 1974 and later married Carl W. "Bill" Gilleland who died in 1994. She was also preceded in death by her grandson, Sherwood Wayne Batson, Jr. and sisters, Emma Robinson and Laura Robinson Squires.

Mrs. Barnhill was a member of Moores Creek Baptist Church. She worked for many years at Reade's Restaurant in Burgaw.

Surviving are her daughters and sons-in-law, Sandra and William Horne of Rocky Point and Christy and Joe Jasper of Burgaw; sons and daughters-in-law, Robert and Cornelia Barnhill and Kenneth F. and Karen Barnhill all of St. Helena; grandchildren, Robert Barnhill, Jr. and wife, Stephanie, Jeffrey Barnhill and wife, Lanee`, Sandy Ganey and husband, Chris, Brittney Jasper, Joshua Barnhill and great grandchildren, Hannah Barnhill, Ty Barnhill, Hunter Barnhill, Bradley Ganey and Caden Barnhill.

Funeral service will be 11:00 AM Wednesday at Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home in Burgaw with The Rev. Timothy Cook officiating.

Burial will follow in Riley's Creek Memorial Cemetery, Rocky Point.

Casketbearers will be Billy Lane, Ronnie Robinson, Ennis Robinson, Dean Robinson, James Byrd, and Jesse Loman.

The family will receive friends 6:00 to 8:00 PM Tuesday at Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home, Burgaw and at other time will be at the home of Robert and Cornelia Barnhill.

Memorial gifts may be given to Alzheimer's Association, 400 Oberlin Rd, Suite 220, Raleigh, NC 27605.

The light of her love, the tenderness of her care, the warmth of her presence brightened the lives of those who called her "Mama, Grandma, Sister, and Friend".

Condolences may be sent to www.quinnmcgowen.com

Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home and Cremation Center of Burgaw.