Brenda Joyce (Metcalf) Gilliam

Brenda Joyce Metcalf Gilliam, 80, of Bryson City, passed away on April 18, 2026, at the CarePartners Hospice Solace Center in Asheville. Born on March 17, 1946, she was the daughter of the late Jesse Coleman Metcalf and Mattie Elizabeth Shipman Metcalf.

Brenda was a woman of faith and a devoted homemaker who lived across the country, from Texas and Georgia to Hawaii and California. She enjoyed her early years as a switchboard operator, served as a Boy Scout den mother, and was a trophy-winning bowler. She loved ceramics, crafts, and Native American culture. She was also a lover of animals, especially her white wolf, River, and her dog, A.J.

She is survived by her husband of 45.5 years, Steve E. Gilliam; her children, David Wise, Tammy Wise, Tracie Wise, and Phillip Owen; and her brother, Gerald Metcalf (Jackie).

She leaves behind a large legacy of grandchildren: Amanda Ebding (Michael), Brandi Hayes (Michael), Randall Hunter (Sheri), Christopher Hunter (Miranda), Thomas Borrosco (Kristie), Dustin Wise (Lulu), Mollie Fowler (Nick), Samantha Young (Terry), Michael Owen, Ashlie Lockhart, Jennifer Salathiel (John), David Coleman Wise, and Hunter Owen.

She is also survived by 28 great-grandchildren: Aryah, Lonna Parker, Michaela, Javion, Hunter, Tristan, Maliya, Emanuel, Adrian, Maddi, Mia, Aubrie, Makayla, Gage, Lucas, Kadan, Emma, Macie, Cooper, Ta’niyah, Syaire, Micah, Gavin, Aiden, John Hunter, Nina Rose, Grace Lyn, and Adonis.

Brenda was preceded in death by her brothers, Melvin, Kenneth, and Bobby Metcalf, and her infant son.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. In her memory, the family asks that you "pay it forward" and offer a hand up to someone in need.

Special thanks to the teams at CarePartners Hospice, Swain County Paramedics and ER, Mission ER and ICU (Thomas and Drew), and her doctors: Dr. Norma Burdette, Dr. Michael S. Chenier, and Dr. Mark Groh.

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