Gilletta was born in Holland, Michigan, the daughter of Verdine Gillette and Minnie (Braun). She was proud of graduating from the eighth grade, and then worked for a time as a maid for a wealthy family. She married William Henry Lawrence on June 11, 1927, and their children are William Dale and Loretta Lyola. They made their home in Muskegon, Michigan. She and Bill were founding members of Jackson Avenue Congregational Church (which later moved and changed its name to Orchard View Congregational Church), where she was active as a member of the Golden Hour ladies group, and also served as a deaconess. She LOVED her family and over the years, she gave of herself unselfishly, taking in many needy family members until they could get back on their feet. For two months, she nurtured her brother's newborn infant son when he'd failed to thrive, saving his life. She loved Jesus and was blessed with the gift of hospitality - cooking, baking, sewing and doing things for others. When needed, she moved into her son's home and raised his three small children for over six years after they lost their mother. Always concerned for the spiritual welfare of children, she was always holding after-school Bible Clubs for children at her home. She was the matriarch of the family, whose loving advice was sought after by extended family members. She had a great sense of humor, enjoyed music and poetry, and advocated reading the daily newspaper to stay sharp and keep abreast of current affairs. She'd rather fix a meal than go out to eat, and always enjoyed having company. She loved eating ice cream and drinking coffee. One of her funniest sayings was, "There's two things I like hot and black, and one of them's coffee." Gilletta died at Brookhaven Nursing Home, after a lengthy battle (13 years) with Alzheimer's Disease. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 57 years, Bill; and her twin brother, Gillette George Gillette. She was survived by her son, William Dale (Patricia) Lawrence; her daughter, Loretta (Jerry) Ross; her grandchildren, Lois Ann (Dennis) Chester, William Lawrence Jr., Earl (Sheila) Lawrence, Eric Ross, Susan Ross, Anne (Don) Larson and Steven Lawrence; step-grandchildren, Jean (James) Ritsema, Frances (John) Conner, Mark (Nancy) Collins, Timothy (Lynn) Collins, Cheryl Collins and Anthony (Cindy) Collins; several great-grandchildren; a brother, Earl Gillette; a half-brother Paul Gillette; a half-sister Majorie Gillette; and many nieces, nephews and friends who love and miss her.
Gilletta was born in Holland, Michigan, the daughter of Verdine Gillette and Minnie (Braun). She was proud of graduating from the eighth grade, and then worked for a time as a maid for a wealthy family. She married William Henry Lawrence on June 11, 1927, and their children are William Dale and Loretta Lyola. They made their home in Muskegon, Michigan. She and Bill were founding members of Jackson Avenue Congregational Church (which later moved and changed its name to Orchard View Congregational Church), where she was active as a member of the Golden Hour ladies group, and also served as a deaconess. She LOVED her family and over the years, she gave of herself unselfishly, taking in many needy family members until they could get back on their feet. For two months, she nurtured her brother's newborn infant son when he'd failed to thrive, saving his life. She loved Jesus and was blessed with the gift of hospitality - cooking, baking, sewing and doing things for others. When needed, she moved into her son's home and raised his three small children for over six years after they lost their mother. Always concerned for the spiritual welfare of children, she was always holding after-school Bible Clubs for children at her home. She was the matriarch of the family, whose loving advice was sought after by extended family members. She had a great sense of humor, enjoyed music and poetry, and advocated reading the daily newspaper to stay sharp and keep abreast of current affairs. She'd rather fix a meal than go out to eat, and always enjoyed having company. She loved eating ice cream and drinking coffee. One of her funniest sayings was, "There's two things I like hot and black, and one of them's coffee." Gilletta died at Brookhaven Nursing Home, after a lengthy battle (13 years) with Alzheimer's Disease. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 57 years, Bill; and her twin brother, Gillette George Gillette. She was survived by her son, William Dale (Patricia) Lawrence; her daughter, Loretta (Jerry) Ross; her grandchildren, Lois Ann (Dennis) Chester, William Lawrence Jr., Earl (Sheila) Lawrence, Eric Ross, Susan Ross, Anne (Don) Larson and Steven Lawrence; step-grandchildren, Jean (James) Ritsema, Frances (John) Conner, Mark (Nancy) Collins, Timothy (Lynn) Collins, Cheryl Collins and Anthony (Cindy) Collins; several great-grandchildren; a brother, Earl Gillette; a half-brother Paul Gillette; a half-sister Majorie Gillette; and many nieces, nephews and friends who love and miss her.
