Adner Elizabeth Wilford Gillean, “Libby”, 72 went home to heaven on June 15, 2026 surrounded by family at the hospital in Madison, Fla. She was born in Jacksonville, Fla., on Dec. 7, 1953 to Eppinger Robert and Millie Lee (Bennett) Wilford. She was raised in the Mandarin community as number 13 of 16 children to Epp and Millie. She was proud to be known as one of the Wilford girls. Her family is a part of the original group to form Mandarin Baptist Church as the newly forming congregation would gather in her daddy’s fruit and vegetable stand alongside of State Road 13.
They faithfully attended Mandarin Baptist Church where she accepted Christ as her Savior and met her sweetheart and love of her life, Michael Alva Gillean. She would go on to graduate from Wolfson High School Class of 1971. They were set to marry directly after graduation, but Rev. Pearl advised them to wait a year, so they waited until July 15, 1972. They enjoyed 53 years together. In 1978, together with family and friends they helped start Fruit Cove Baptist at the Switzerland Fire Department. They moved from Mandarin to Fruit Cove in 1980 where they resided for 40 years until retiring to their family farm in Madison, Fla.
Libby started her working career at Gordon Thompson Chevrolet in finance. But her real career was to serve others in the name of Jesus Christ. She was the true Proverbs 31 woman. Along with raising two children, she was team mom, class mom, Sunday school teacher, church volunteer, and Aunt Libby to everyone. She was known as the best Wednesday night supper cook in the history of Wednesday night suppers at Fruit Cove Baptist. She loved caring for her friends and family. Libby was the glue that held all things together, even in times of distress. She, along with her siblings cared for their Daddy during his battle with lung cancer and their mama during her long battle with Alzheimer’s.
Libby voluntarily kept the financial records for Fruit Cove Baptist Church for countless years until the church convinced her it needed to be a paid position. Libby officially started full time employment at Fruit Cove in 1995 and worked there until she retired in 2020 as the Office Manager and Pastor’s Assistant. She continued to volunteer in all areas of the church including cooking for families, pre-school choir, mom-to-mom, VBS, and any other “job” that needed doing. Despite many health trials, Mike and Libby remained steadfast in their love and faith in Jesus Christ.
Family and friends who she claimed as family were the heart of all of Libby’s activities. Family time was spent on the Julington Creek and the St. Johns River boating, vacations to the beach and mountains, trips to visit family, family reunions on the lake and countless pool parties. Libby enjoyed hosting, she was the original “hostess with the mostest.” A cook that was second to none, she always had a full table and very few leftovers. She often hosted the family gatherings for celebrations. Her and Mike enjoyed opening their home as it was usually the gathering place for many holiday celebrations, Christmas parties, baby and bridal showers and any other excuse for a get-together. She connected the love of Christ with so many people through her life of serving others.
As much as Libby loved her children, her love for her grandchildren might have surpassed it. Zachary, Braxton, Hudson, Beckett, Cannon and Kennedy could make her smile like none other.
Libby was preceded in death by her husband, Michael Gillean; her parents, Eppinger Robert and Millie Lee (Bennett) Wilford; her brother, Bobby and her sisters: Francis, Jean and Arlene. She is survived by her daughter, Julie Ann Townsend, and her husband, Brian of Madison, Fla.; her son, Michael Todd Gillean, and his wife, Lauren, of Fruit Cove, Fla.; grandchildren: Zachary Brian (Bailey Hackle), Braxton Robert, Hudson Wood, Beckett Todd, Cannon Lee and Kennedy Rose; brothers and sisters: Barbara, Ruth, Gerdie, Millie, Linda, Henry, Lock, Bill, Boo, Anna and Patty; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Andrea, Chuck, Pat, Larry, Glenn, Dave, Vicki, Elaine and Bob; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, cousins and family friends.
The family would like to honor her life with the following:
Celebration of Life, Fruit Cove, Fla.
Fruit Cove Baptist Church
501 SR 13 St. Johns, Fl. 32359
June 19, 2026
Visitation at 5 p.m.
Service at 6 p.m.
Local Fruit Cove Florist: Southern Grace Fresh Floral Market
Funeral, Madison, Fla.
First Baptist Church of Madison
134 SW Meeting Street Madison, Fla. 32340
June 20, 2026
Visitation at 9:30 a.m.
Service at 11 a.m.
Graveside to follow at Concord Baptist Church
Local Madison Florist: The Madison Florist