Family members and friends celebrated the 90th Birthday of Mrs. Allie V. (Beattie) Gilmore on Saturday, May 26, 2018 at the Livingstone Culinary Arts and Event Center. Mrs. Gilmore was escorted into the center by her children. Wendy Baskins presided over the celebration. Mayor Al Heggins presented a proclamation from the city to Mrs. Gilmore naming May 26, 2018 Allie Lyerly Gilmore Day.

Words of Expression were given by her pastor, Rev. Dr. Derrick Anderson, of Soldiers Memorial AME Zion Church. Expressions also were given by her sisters and her granddaughter, Markeytta Witherspoon of Durham. A special liturgical dance, by her granddaughter, Amber Gilmore, and her friend, Kenya Kelly, both of Salisbury.

Mrs. Gilmore was born May 29, 1928 to John Henry Lyerly and Mary White Lyerly. She graduated from J.C. Price High School and married the late Steve Gilmore Sr. To the union eight children were born. She is survived by six children, Allie Patricia (Rodney) Witherspoon of Durham, Steve (Pelinka) Gilmore Jr. of Williamston, Marilyn (Mack) Ellis, Shirley (Roy) Vinson, Kenneth (Diane) Gilmore, and Wendy Baskins, all of Salisbury.

Mrs. Gilmore has 16 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. She has three sisters, Rose Springer and Bettye Jean Holt of Salisbury, and Dorothy (Matthew) Brooks of Manassas, Va.

Allie retired from Canon Mills. She is known by many for her many years of healthy walking all around Salisbury with her sister Betty Jean. She enjoys attending church every Sunday and spending time with family and friends.