Dawn Lacille Gilleland

Dawn LaCille Gilleland, 85 who was born in Knox City, Texas and raised in Haskell, Texas passed into the gates of heaven, from her temporary residence at Baird Homestead Nursing Home, Saturday, July 18, 2020. A private funeral service will be held at 11:00am, Saturday, July 25, 2020, at the First United Methodist Church with Pastor Nadine Llunga officiating.

Dawn was born July 4, 1935, in Knox City, Texas to John and Lucile (Gilstrap) Clifton. Shortly they moved to Haskell, Texas, where Dawn was raised and attended the Haskell public schools.

Dawn was crossing the street one day in Haskell, when David Jackson Gilleland asked his best friend who that girl was...because, he was going to marry her.

Dawn, married husband Jack Gilleland, June 10, 1951, in Haskell, Texas. They moved to Wichita Falls, Texas until Jack finished his service in the US Air Force and where their first son David Jackson Gilleland, Jr was born. Jack and Dawn then moved to College Station, Texas to finish school at Texas A&M University and where Deborah Dawn Gilleland Lenderman was born in 1955. Upon, Jack's graduation of school, Dawn and Jack moved their family to Tulia, Texas to farm, ranch and thought they had completed their family with the birth of Gary Don Gilleland in 1957 until, Donna Catherine was born in 1964.

Dawn was active in the lives of her children. She was a Girl Scout Leader, active in 4-H with all her children. She was an excellent, accomplished seamstress and cook. She loved to read and loved National Geographic. She loved to iron and talk on the phone, every Tuesday at 10am.

Dawn made the decision at the age of 40 to become a nurse and earned her licenses as an LVN nurse and began her nursing career. Dawn was smart and set a life example, of "It is never too late to improve yourself" and reach a life goal. She never gave up and was NEVER afraid to speak her mind!

Jack and Dawn moved back to their hometown (Haskell) in late 1976 to help farm and ranch the family properties. Dawn decided to finish her degree and graduated from college with her BS degree in Nursing. She continued to nurse for 15 years. She loved being a nurse and serving her patients.

Jack and Dawn later retired, moved south to live their retirement days in College Station, Texas to attend and cheer on the FIGHTING TEXAS AGGIES. Upon the death of her husband Jack in 2016, she lived in the Baird Nursing home near her daughter Donna.

She is survived by her two daughters, Deborah Dawn Lenderman and husband Ron of Roswell, GA, Donna Catherine Smith and husband Donny of Baird; and son, Gary Don Gilleland and wife Amy of Elgin, OK.

She is preceded in death by her husband, David Jackson Gilleland; and son, David Jackson Gilleland, Jr.

Dawn loved her husband, her 4 children, her 9 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren. She was an amazing wife, nurse, grandmother and great grandmother...Heaven, has gained an amazing angel. We will miss her.

Online condolences can be shared with the family at www.smithfamilyfh.com.