At 1:25 pm on September 21, 2025 surrounded by family and loved ones, Edith quietly departed from her earthly life at Highland Hills Skilled Nursing Facility in Ross Township and entered into the eternal presence and peace of God.

Edith was born on July 10, 1945 to the late James "Boyd" Gilliam and the late Florence (Hollis) Gilliam in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  She was the 9th of 12 children for James and Florence.  Growing up as a child, Edith and her family attended St. John Baptist Church in Hazelwood.  Edith attended school in the Pittsburgh Public School System and graduated from Gladstone High School earning her High School Diploma.  Throughout her workforce career, she was employed at The Pittsburgh Airport and Lavelle Real Estate where she became a homeowner and was featured in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette. She married the late Charles Edvin Potter and on October 2, 1966 gave birth to Michael Anthony, the first of five children.  Through their union, they had five children, Michael Anthony, Troy Edvin, Charmayne Nicole, Tanya Lynn, and Erika Jennifer.  Although the marriage ended in divorce, both Edith and Charles maintained a respectful relationship with their common goal being their five children.

Edith is preceded in death by her parents, James and Florence Gilliam, her brother William "Pluggy", Johnny, and James "Jimmy" Gilliam, her sisters Florine (Sigmund) Israel, Betty Gilliam, Lois (Hugh) Parker, Pauline Gilliam, Marion (Michael) Nelson, and grandson Eric "Man Man" Young.

Edith was full of life and had an infectious smile and laugh that stood out to everyone that she knew.  She was an avid reader and would often be caught reading stories to her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews.  She had a collection of Barbie dolls and enjoyed receiving the Holiday Edition Barbie Doll during the Christmas season.  She enjoyed decorating her dollhouses and buying unique furniture pieces to add to them.  She wasn't always fond of sharing her dollhouses, but this didn't stop her nieces from enjoying them. Christmas and Thanksgiving were her favorite times of the year and she loved decorating the house for Christmas and strolling through downtown looking at the wonderful holiday displays in the Kaufman's windows.  During the summer, her favorite places to go were Kennywood Park and the point.  She loved spending this time with her children and family.  She never forgot to take her picnic basket and jug of extra sweet Kool-Aid.  Spending time with family and close friends was always something Edith enjoyed doing.

Edith's children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren will miss her dearly and will continue the legacy she leaves behind.  Edith leaves behind her sisters, Geraldine Purry, Doreen Johnson (Larry), and Johna Walker (John).  A host of nieces, nephews, and cousins from the Gilliam, Hollis, and Perkins families, as well as her best friends Maurdine Akers and Sheila McDaniel.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, September 29, 2025 at Central Baptist Church, 2200 Wylie Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15219; Visitation: 10am to 12pm; Service at 12pmn Interment follows at Homewood Cemetery.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to West Funeral Home, 2215 Wylie Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15219; tel: 412-471-2626