[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 212 (Tuesday, December 15, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1143-E1144]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      REMEMBERING ARTIS GILLAM SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TIM RYAN

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 15, 2020

  Mr. RYAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to remember the life of Artis 
Gillam Sr., of Youngstown, Ohio, who passed away on Sunday, December 6, 
2020 at the age of 78.
  Mr. Gillam was born July 17, 1942, in Moultrie, Georgia, a son of 
Rufus and Vallie Edmondson Gillam. He was a 1961 graduate of North High 
School and attended Youngstown State University, majoring in business 
administration.
  Artis was a lifelong member of Price Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church, 
where he served on the steward and trustee boards. A man who always 
sought to be a leader and never a follower, Artis' goal was definitely 
to be an extraordinary businessman. An entrepreneur, he was owner/
operator of many ventures: Gillam & Associates, Inc., Life Skills 
Carpentry and Painting (LCAP), Artis' Tender Love and Care (a safe 
haven for young girls), and Mr. G's Eastside Tire, Lube and Wash.
  He also served in many community capacities, including as a Mahoning 
County deputy

[[Page E1144]]

sheriff (reserves) and on Youngstown City Council for the 1st Ward. In 
early years, he had been employed at Packard Electric, Ohio Fast 
Freight, and Stallworth Real Estate and Construction Co. Inc. Artis was 
also very instrumental in getting the Covelli Center built and opening 
up Federal Street to through traffic.
  In addition to his many jobs and positions, Artis found time to 
volunteer on many boards and other organizations important to 
Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley.
  He leaves to carry on his legacy and cherish his beloved memories, 
his wife, the former Annie L. Spooney, whom he married March 15, 1962; 
four children, Artis Gillam Jr. of Cleveland, Arnold Gillam Sr., 
Adrienne (Rodney) Davis and Andrea Gillam, all of Youngstown; seven 
grandchildren, Tamica Gillam, Artis Gillam III, Arnold (Hannah) Gillam 
Jr., Rodney Davis, Jr., Alexis Gillam, Andre (Shalena) Davis and Denzel 
Davis: and 15 great-grandchildren, Andre Davis Jr., Amire, Amira and 
Alena Davis, Armani Johnson, Talaya and Reggie Dunlap, Artis IV, 
Nariah, Gianna, Markez, Amiah, Kayel, Amari, and Kenna Gillam. He also 
leaves six sisters-in-law, Juanell (Sylvester Sr.) Patton, Janice 
Burroughs, Joyce Dean-El, Linda Jenkins, Brenda Boudreaux and Margie 
Ann Leonard; and a host of nieces, nephews, other family and friends.
  Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, 
Homer Jenkins, L. V. Jenkins and Douglas Gillam; his sister-in-law, 
Shirley Gillam; his brother-in-law, Charles Spooney; and his favorite 
uncle, Ruben Edmondson.
  There is no doubt that Councilman Gillam was a giant in Youngstown 
and dedicated his life to our community. I was very proud to represent 
the great people of Youngstown alongside Mr. Gillam. My deepest 
sympathies go out to Mr. Gillam's family and to all whose lives he 
touched.

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