The Davenport Democrat and Leader 
Davenport, Iowa 
March 8, 1926 

MRS. GILLILAND 
TO BE BURIED IN SPRINGFIELD
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Supreme Oracle of Royal Neighbors
of America Dies in Rock Lsland
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   Funeral services for Mrs. Alice Gilliland, 62 years of age, supreme oracle of the Royal Neighbors of America, and prominent nationally for many years in women’s fraternal insurance circles, whose death occurred Saturday evening at 6:30 o’clock at her home, 737 Seventeenth street, Rock Island, will be held at Spingfield, Ill., her former home, tomorrow afternoon. Her death followed a long illness.
   The public services at Springfield will be held in the Chrsitian church and are set for 4 o’clock Tuesday afternoon. No funeral services will be held in Rock Island on account of the illness of her husband, John Gilliland, whose condition will not permit him to come here at this time. The body will lie in state at the residence in Rock Island this evening, between 7 and 8:30 o’clock, at which time friends will be welcome.
   Altho it was not generally known, Mrs. Gilliland had been in failing health for many months. But she refused to recognize the seriousness of her condition and her devotion and deep interest in her work for the Royal Neighbors of America carried her along in her duties when others would gladly have laid down the burden and the numerous responibilities of her position.
   Alice Harwood was born near Lawrenceburg, Ind., Oct. 28. 1863, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Cyrus Harwood. During her early childhood her parents moved to Clayton, Ill., where she lived for many years. She received her education in the state of Illinois. She served as an instructor in the public schools in the vicinity of Quincy, Ill., prior to her marriage to John Gilliland, April 3, 1889. She is survived by her husband and daughter, Mrs. C. J. Correll of Rock Island; one sister, Mrs. Pearl Harris of Chicago; two brothers, J. S. Harwood of Quincy, Ill., and Edward Harwood of Galesburg, Ill., and an aunt, Mrs. Emma [Purpus], who made her home with Mrs. Gilliland in Rock Island.
    Mrs. Gilliland was a member of the Springfield, Ill., chapter of the Eastern Star. She also held membership in lodge No. 577 of the Independent Order of Rebeccas in that city.
    For 31 years Mrs. Gilliland served the Royal Neighbors of America. Her insurance career was marked by untiring, self-sacrificing and successful service, with the interests and advancement of the society always at heart. She accomplished much to place the organization in the high position which it now holds in the fraternal insurance world. She was one of the first 500 members necessary to secure a charter for the Royal Neighbors of America.
    She began her career with the Royal Neighbors of America as local secretary of Camp No. 51, at Quincy, Ill., which office she held for a period of nine consecutive years. From that office she was advanced to the position of district deputy in the state of Illinois. Her ability was further recognized by the management of the society in 1908 when she was appointed to the office of state supervising deputy for Illinois, which post she held for a period of three years. In 1911 she was elected by the membership to the higher officer of the board of supreme managers and served in that capacity for ten years. In 1921 she became supreme recorder and filled that office until 1925, at which time she was elected as supreme oracle, the highest office in this society, which she held at the time of her death.
   Mrs. Gilliland was recognized as a great leader in women’s fraternal insurance. Her leadership was one of courage, ability, power and broad vision. Everyone was impressed by her broad-minded tolerance and unfailing kindness in handling the perplexing problems with which she was confronted in her dealings with the officials and vast membership of society. In the execution of her many responsibilities, both as supreme oracle and supreme recorder, she was a most conscientious and efficient executive. By her courageous leadership and devoted life of service, she endeared herself to a wide circle of friends who will mourn her death, but the memory of her strong moral qualities and noble character will be an inspiration and live on in the hearts of those who knew her, and her work and high achievements will stand as a lasting monument in the years to come.

-- transcription by Kate Maynard, 2010