Dear brethren,

As shepherds of this church, we mourn with you over the tragic loss of David, Christine, Grace and Jack Gilley in a horrific auto accident on Thursday evening as they were traveling to Ohio. Our grief is compounded by the suddenness and the severity of Thursday’s events.  Jesus designed His church to care for one another and we need each other’s love, embraces and encouragement more than ever in this time. Please feel free to communicate and share your feelings and your needs. We are here because we all love and care for our brothers and sisters. God has designed His church to be a healing place.

Thankfully God and His word comfort us and constantly reminds us of where we are ultimately headed. “And now, brothers and sisters, I want you to know what will happen to the Christians who have died so you will not be full of sorrow like people who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus comes, God will bring back with Jesus all the Christians who have died.” 1 Thessalonians 4:12-13.  “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain…. – “But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better” Philippians 1:21, 23.

So many want to do something that will help.  Nothing at this time will help more than earnest prayer to our God of all comfort and peace, for we do need a peace that passes understanding at this moment.

1. Remember our purpose – Glorify God and make disciples for this life is fleeting.

2.  Thank God that the Gilley family is not only in the Lord's kingdom, they are at home with God. 

3. We may not understand everything about this life or why things happen the way that they do, but we can               take comfort knowing that God has provided an eternal home for us.  We can be certain that each         person in Christ is bound for heaven, and that is where we all intend to be someday. 

4.  We mourn together, but we know there is glorious hope in Jesus and in that we find our sustaining faith   in heaven’s gain this day and strength to live our lives of faith.

5.  While we do appreciate better how fleeting this life is, let us be motivated to make every minute we          share with one another more precious than ever.

6. Our strength cometh from above. So may “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.“ 2Corinthians 13:13

Gilley Family Obituary

Carl David Gilley (48) and Christine Tara Warden Gilley (42) along with daughter Grace Margaret Gilley (13) and son Jack Nathanael Gilley (10) passed from this life together and gained their eternal reward on April 13, 2017 in Camp Creek, West Virginia.

David Gilley is survived by his siblings, Donna Gilley Flores, Nancy Alice Critzer, Clint Gilley, Jessie Gilley, Patrick Gilley, Michael Gilley, and Donald W. Gilley. He is preceded in death by his father, Donald Eugene Gilley, and mother, Lois Jean Gilley.

Christine Warden Gilley is survived by her father Charles Douglas Warden; mother, Nina Warden; sister, Nicole Warden Le and  brother, Doug Warden.

David was born on November 2, 1968 in Shields Township, Lake County, Illinois. He graduated from University of North Florida with a degree in Biology. Christine was born on December 1, 1974 in Alexandria, VA. She graduated from Mary Washington with a degree in Business Administration and Accounting. They married on September 22, 2002. David and Christine were devout Christians and were loved by their community. David worked for TIAA Investment Firm as a Senior Project Manager. Christine worked as a Senior Manager for Accenture. Christine was an avid Crossfitter and had been a member at Crossfit Vitality for several years.

Grace Gilley was a seventh grader at Salisbury Academy. She had a beautiful voice and loved to sing. She loved art, acting, directing and making her own home movies. She ran track and swam on Splash swim team. She loved her little brother, Jack. Her smile would light up any room and her heart was full of the true definition of grace.

Jack Gilley was a fourth grader at Bostian Elementary School. He was the class president at his school and was fun-loving, precious, and smart. He loved his big sister, Grace. He loved to make people laugh and was kind to all. He loved to swim and swam on Sailfish Aquatics team as well as Splash Swim team.

A memorial service is scheduled for Friday, 3 p.m. on April 21, 2017 at the Omwake-Dearborn Chapel at Catawba College.  All are welcome to attend and celebrate David, Christine, Grace, and Jack Gilley’s lives. There will be a light reception for family to follow in the Crystal Lounge on the Catawba campus. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Concord Church of Christ at 4595 Poplar Tent Rd, Concord, NC 28027 or electronically at https://www.ccofchrist.org/giving.