Annie Belle Driggers Gilliam was born 19 May 1921 in Kingstree, Williamsburg, SC, USA. She is the daughter of Dixie Benjamin Driggers and Mattie Ella Todd. She was proud of being “the baby” of eight siblings. When she was two years old, the family moved to Sorrento, Lake County, Florida, USA. Dad and a brother rented two box cars and rode with the mules and equipment by rail. Another brother drove the family car with the family members that moved down. They moved into a farm house in remote Sorrento.
Later the family moved to a ‘station’ (fuel filling station and grocery) west of Apopka proper on two-lane State Road 441 between N Bradshaw Road and Cabel Avenue.
She worked many jobs and saved money that she invested in houses and properties in the area, even before marrying. A woman investing alone was unusual for the era. She credits her father with modeling savings and investing in land that caused her to start working at The Station at age 12 and saving all of her money to make that initial wartime land purchase. Her first of over 200 recorded land transactions was on 21 October 1943, as a single woman.
Upon his return from the war, she married Garrett Irving Gilliam. They lived in a few homes throughout the Town of Apopka City.
They were in the citrus caretaking business, among various other side businesses, including investing in properties and renting then selling houses. She and Garrett empowered many grove workers into owning their own homes instead of renting. For one piece of property on Clarcona Road near Apopka Boulevard, Annie Belle and Garrett bought WWII military barracks from the Orlando base and paid the Starbirds $500 each to move them to the land. The Gilliams rented these spacious homes and land to their grove workers until the two sold them the house and land. The couple would accept $5 a week if the employee could work a full week, if enough work was not available for a full schedule they did not collect on the mortgage. She felt that helping these people ‘pull themselves up by their bootstraps’ with no handouts was a proud achievement in her life.
Her daughter Beverly Ann Gilliam D. Byrd and their son Garrett ‘Boo’, Jr. were well and properly educated and went on to be very successful in life and produced grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Besides her children, her proudest contribution to the community included being on the Board of Directors of the Apopka Historical Society at the Museum of Apopkans for fifty years. She was the curator of the artifacts of the museum up to her death. She preserved so very much of the formative and pioneering years of the greater Apopka area and Northwest Orange County area. She helped copywrite the book by Perrine Slim, “The Pennings of Perrine Slim” and other books written about the area.
Annie Belle, from age 2 to 97, lived in central Florida, mainly Apopka. Then moved for her last few months to reside in Tennessee with her granddaughter Dixie D. Knight, who cared for her well until Annie Belle died peacefully at sunrise on the 4th of November 2018 just days short of 97 and 1/2 years.
She was a diligent member of Magnolia Baptist Church in Apopka, FL, USA.
Her cemetery plot is beside her husband with her parents in Woodlawn Memorial Park, Gotha, Orange County, Florida.
Service Time and Dates will be announced Friday, November 09, 2018.
Service
Celebration of Life
First Baptis Church of Apopka
441 South Highland Avenue, Apopka, Florida 32703
4:00pm
Bobby and Tenita Reid says
We are so very sorry to learn about Mrs. Gilliam’s passing. She was such as special lady, and a true southern belle. I didn’t know her personally, but had heard her speak passionately about the history around Apopka here, several times in her talks. The year Mrs. Gilliam was born, 1921, was in between the year my own mother was born, 1919, and the year my daddy was born, 1922, and both of my parents have long passed away, so Mrs. Gilliam did very well to live such a long, fulfilled good and happy life. We are so sorry for the loss of her, and want to extend prayers to her family during their time of grief. Looking at her photo there on the right, up above, she sure was a beautiful and classy lady.
Dale and Cathy Driggets Perry says
We loved Out Aunt Belle dearly who took such good care of my Daddy and Mama during our Apopka days, WW II days, and all through our lives, the passing of our parents, Furman and Molly Driggers, and taking care of my little sister, MARSHA, for a while, until she went to Louisville Ky to stay with my Brother, John, who was in Dental School and came to Johns Graduation to honor him becoming a Dentist. Daddy and Mama were in Heaven so she took their place! That was Aunt Belle, always taking care of everyone else, especially her family in need. She fought for them mightily and we fight for her today and love her to pieces ❤️ Thank you, Aunt Belle, for your LOVE❣️
Martha Glass says
My heart is broken because I lost a very dear friend. I loved her like a daughter loves a mother. She was a special lady and I will miss her. She made my time at the Muesum of Apopka a special time in my life. I looked forward to seeing her come through the door.
She was always positive and encouraging and she worked hard in the museum to keep things running smoothly. She loved history and was able to get several markers for deserving people, and many other accomplishments. Rest In Peace my dear friend !!
Melanie King (Ustler clan) says
From 1 history buff to another, Belle you will be missed. shared many times with her at the old Museum of Apopkans. What a treasure she was for us all and Apopka will not be the same without her. Her service to our community was appreciated. She was a special friend and always loved hearing some stories of our past of the Big Potato. love to her family and blessed to call my friend.
Clay Townsend says
My deep condolences. Belle was a treasure and joy during my years developing Townsend’s Plantation in Apopka. Loved talking history with her and our vision for a true town center for Apopka.
I am sorry that I was unable to attend the service but Belle and her family were in our thoughts. God bless her. Clay
Gloria Bornett says
My deepest sympathy, Mrs. Annie Belle Gilliam, was such a sweet, kind, and caring person. I loved her so much. She was a delight to know. I would call her my friend. We could talk on the phone for an hour easily. She was always concerned about my family. I meet her about 20 years ago when she would come and help my late aunt balance her check book even though she was older than my aunt. She was such a smart lady. She will be missed. See you in Heaven my sweet friend.
John C Cloran says
I am very sorry for your loss of your mother. I had the pleasure of meeting her many years ago when your Uncle Benny was teaching with me at the Apopka Junior High School. I kind of loss track of MRS Bell till 2008 when cleaning out the agriculture department and wanted to give some of the tools to the Apopka History Center. I went in to meet Mrs Gilliam to talk to her about some of the stuff I had from Mr. Drigger’s days. As soon as she met me it was your the little guy from Massachusetts that worked with my brother Benny. She was wonderful and I was Happy to give the History center some of the tools and her some of Benny’s stuff. I then had her help me with the history of the Apopka Memorial High School and Junior High School. Your mom helped me get Mayor John Land and her to sit down and give me all the history of Apopka you could ever ask for and I appreciated that so much. She will always have a spot in my heart. Again I am sorry for your loss Sincerely