Mr. Thomas Adam Gilyard, Sr.

Thomas “Tony” Adam Gilyard, Sr. was born February 10, 1956 in Richtex, South Carolina to James E. Gilyard Sr. and MaeBelle Murray. He departed his earthly home on January 12, 2020 surrounded by his loving family.

Tony was educated in the public schools of Richland County. He attended Eau Claire High School, where he later became a beloved bus driver. He was employed with Eagle Express where he proudly worked for 20 years until his recent retirement. 

Tony married his beautiful bride, Kwamine Washington, on September 5, 2015.  Together they enjoyed traveling to the beach, dining at the Waffle House, shopping and talking about God.  He had a great sense of humor and offered an abundance of knowledge and support to his loved ones.  He believed that if you were not being productive, you were wasting daylight.

Tony had a love and passion for music and played the bass guitar in a rock and roll band in Texas.  More than his career and his love for music, he adored his family and his faith in God.  

Tony was preceded in death by his son, Thomas Adam Gilyard, Jr.; father, James E. Gilyard, Sr.; stepfather, Edward “Pop” Murray; paternal grandparents, Chappelle Gilyard, Sr. and Rebecca Trapp Gilyard; maternal grandparents, Alvin Stewart, Sr. and Viola Thompson Stewart.

Tony leaves to celebrate and honor his legacy, his loving wife, Kwamine Gilyard; daughter, Tiesha Gilyard of Columbus, Ga; stepdaughters, Andriana (Billy) Jackson of Rock Hill, SC, Gabrielle (Antowayne) Watson of Lakewood, WA, and Danielle Simpson of the home; mother, Mae Belle Murray of Columbia, SC; sisters, Earnestine (Willie) Tyler, Christine Sumter, Tracy Porter all of Columbia, SC; brothers, Bishop Larry (Pauline) Gilyard, Sr. of Columbus, GA, Cecil Gilyard of Columbus, OH, James E. Gilyard, Jr. of Columbia, SC and Edward F. Murray of Columbus, GA; seven granddaughters, three grandsons; mother-in-law, Andrea E. Loney of Dalzell, SC; father-in-law, Rowland (Glennie) Washington of Beaufort, SC; sister-in-law, Tonya Washington of Raleigh, NC; and a host of nieces, nephews, aunt, uncles and friends who will cherish his legacy.

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