Barbara Jean Gillis

Barbara Jean McKinney Gillis, 78, passed away Friday, May 13, 2016, at CarePartners Hospice Center in Asheville. Barbara was born in Buncombe County to the late Louis and Josie Bell Craig McKinney. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Carroll Franklin Gillis who died in 2004, a brother, Donald McKinney and a sister, Nancy McIreath. Mrs. Gillis was a lifelong member or Arden Presbyterian Church. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. She worked with Gerber products for ten years and then she enjoyed her years raising and nurturing children and being a "Nana" to several. She will be dearly missed by all. She is survived by her two daughters, Tammy Ducker and her husband Donny and Tonja Schroder and her husband Scott; a sister, Doris Rice (Gene); a brother, Ted McKinney (Barbara); four grandchildren, Whitney Gordon and her husband Stephen, Jordan Ducker, Mackenzie Schroder and Samantha Schroder; brother-in-law, Gary Reems; sister-in-law, Dinah and several nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family. Services for Mrs. Gillis will be held on Wednesday, May 18, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. at Arden Presbyterian Church with burial to follow at Green Hills Cemetery in Asheville. Dr. Craig Sheppard will officiate. The family will receive friends from 1:30 to 2:45 at the church. Joseph Gillis, John K. White Jr., Jordan Ducker, Stephen Gordon, Gerry Drake, Scott Rice, Brent Gaulin and Chad McKinney will serve as pallbearers. A reception will follow the graveside service at 46 Appian Way, Arden. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Asheville Christian Academy Scholarship Fund, 74 Riverwood Road, Swannanoa, NC 28778.