Mary Estelle Gilleran

Mary Estelle (Cheatham) Gilleran, of Niceville, Florida, was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on June 19,1944 to Woodrow and Lydia Thornhill Cheatham. She passed away peacefully at Twin Cities Pavilion on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at 80 years young. 

Mary graduated from Vallonia High School in 1962 in Vallonia, Indiana. She worked at Bedford Medical Center in Bedford, Indiana and later in St. Croix at Montessori School.

She married William Robert Gilleran, Sr., on January 19,1963. She loved to sing and dance, and was a member of the women’s auxiliary at Bedford Boat and Sportsmen’s Club from 1968 to 1986.

Four beautiful children came from this blessed union; William Gilleran, Jr. ( Chuck Blanton), Carol Davis, Michael Gilleran, and Erin (Jon LaGrosse). They were grandparents to eleven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

Mary had many passions; she began decorating cakes from 1970 to 1974, where she competed at a state level; winning countless first-place ribbons. Later, she moved to St. Croix, Virgin Islands, from 1985 until 1992. There, she helped mold the young minds of the future serving as a Montessori School teacher.

William and Mary lived in Miramar Beach for twenty-five years, before eventually moving to Shalimar for five years and then moving to Niceville. 

Mary was a God loving Christian who enjoyed studying the Bible with her friends and family anytime she could.

Mary is preceded in death by her parents, Woodrow and Lydia Cheatham; husband, William Gilleran, Sr.; and brother, Jack Cheatham. Mary is survived by her children; sister, Edna (Jack Hannah); eleven grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; aunts; nephews; nieces; as well as, cousins and in-laws.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, March 1, 2025 beginning at 3:00 p.m. at Davis Watkins Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Road NE, Fort Walton Beach, FL, 32457 with a reception to follow.