Elizabeth Gilland

Elizabeth Young Gilland, 82, of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 5, 2026 after a tragic accident the day before.

Liz was born on June 29, 1944, in Charlotte, North Carolina, a daughter of the late Edward F. Young and Melverine Jones Young. Liz had two older sisters and a younger brother; Eleanor, Sue, and Eddie.

Liz graduated from East Mecklenburg High School in Charlotte, NC, as well as Women’s College in Greensboro, NC, with a secretarial degree.

She shared 61 wonderful years of marriage with the love of her life, Darryl Phillips Gilland, who she met in Surfside Beach, while on a family vacation. Together, they built a life centered on family, hard work, and unwavering devotion to one another. They had 2 children, Michael David and Melissa Elizabeth. They were very proud of the home and family that they built together and shared until Darryl’s passing on February 14th, 2025.

Liz dedicated 28 years of service as the Administrative Assistant to the Myrtle Beach Chief of Police (4 different chiefs). She also served as President of the Legal Secretaries Association. Liz was a proud member of the Leadership Grand Strand Association, reflecting her commitment to serving and strengthening her community. Before beginning each workday, she could often be found alongside her husband delivering the early morning Sun News paper route, a labor of love they enjoyed together.

After retirement, Liz and Darryl purchased a vacation home on Saint Helena Island, in Beaufort County, a quaint little village called Tansi. They felt more at home than ever while making incredible friendships that they cherished dearly. After Darryl’s passing, Liz and their daughter Missi, moved there permanently where they lived there happily as Thelma and Louise for the past year and a half.

Above all else, Liz loved her family fiercely. They were the center of her world and the source of her greatest joy. Her love, strength, and devotion to those closest to her will continue to live on through the generations she leaves behind.

Liz is survived by her loving daughter, Melissa (Missi) Elizabeth Collins; her grandchildren, TJ Gillenwater, Madison Elizabeth Conover (Tyler), and Rivers Gilland (Annissa); her great-granddaughter, Vivian Elizabeth Conover, and another great-granddaughter expected in January; her sister, Eleanor Dixon (Jay); her nieces and nephews, Julia Dixon, Charlotte Arnold (Kevin); and her great-nieces and nephews, several cousins, and tons of friends.

In addition to her husband, Darryl Phillips Gilland, Elizabeth was preceded in death by her parents, her son, one loving sister, and her brother.

Service will be held at Burroughs Funeral Home in Murrells Inlet, SC at 2:00 PM on Saturday, August 15th, 2026, followed by a short reception with hors d’oeuvres at Inlet Affairs in Murrells Inlet from 3-5 PM.

A Celebration of her life will be held Saturday, August 22nd at 11:00 am, given by her dearest friends from the Village at the Tansi Village Clubhouse and Pool 62 Tomahawk Trail, St. Helena Island, SC 29920 . There will be food, fun in the pool accompanied by a great band. Liz loved her Village!!