MICHELE LYNN GILLIS  was born on May 24, 1964 in Bamberg, SC  to the late Bishop Edmond Dowling, Sr. and Missionary Mary V. Dowling.  On February 20, 2025 at MUSC Hospital in Charleston, SC, God called her from labor to rest.   Michelle resided in Orangeburg, SC.

At an early age, Michele joined St. Phillip A.F. Church in Olar, SC.  She was a devoted choir member, a member of the Youth Organization, and the Elders and Missionary Society.

Michele graduated with the class of 1982 from Denmark-Olar High School in Denmark, SC. While at Denmark-Olar, she sang on the Elementary, Middle and High School Choruses, under the leadership and guidance of Rev. Dr. Rosemary Smith Griffin, who was also her "Mother" away from home.  Michele loved to sing, and also loved to play softball, playing on a community team in Olar, SC.  She was passionate about playing the game Monopoly with her family and friends.  She always felt like she was a millionaire when she played.

After high school, Michele was wed to Terrance B. Bottoms, Sr. in 1982.  From this union, three children were born.  Later in life, she married Mr. Thomas Tribett.  He preceded her in death.  Later she met Mr. Charles Shivers, who also preceded her in death.  She was then married to Mr. Larry Gillis, who also preceded her in death.  Michele also had one sister, Glenda Dowling and two brothers, Edmond Dowling, Jr. and Elder Everett Dowling, Sr. who preceded her in death.

Michele worked  many jobs in Denmark and Aiken, SC and also in Soperton, GA.  She worked in Customer Service, Sewing Industries, and Tool & Dye Industries.  Her last employment was at Allied Air in Orangeburg, SC.

Michele moved back home to Bamberg, SC in 2017 to help care for her father before his passing.  Michele loved all of her family and friends dearly.

She leaves to cherish her memory:  a son Terrance Blair Bottoms, Jr. of Denmark, SC; two daughters, Latoya D. Bottoms and Almania M. Bottoms, both of Vidalia, GA; nine grandchildren, Kyneria Bottoms, Orionna Miles, Honey Bottoms, Atori Bottoms, Demarien Perry, Kamilya Ransom, Za'Qual Stewart, D'Asia Howard and Milaan Bottoms; four great-grandchildren, Nina Simone Miles, Kayden Amir Bottoms, Irives G. McKinney, Jr. and Jes'silvia D. Anderson; four sisters, Mother Alma R. (Deacon Ben) Smith of Columbia, SC, Missionary Virginia (Dwayne) Spellman of Denmark, SC, Elder Priscilla B. (James) Spruill, III of Columbia, SC and Barbara V. (Tamir) Didmond of Columbia, SC; a sister-in-law, Rebecca Dowling of Bamberg, SC; four uncles, Thomas Dowling of Orangeburg, SC, Laurie (Min. Deloris) Dowling of Govan, SC, Daniel (Gladys) Dowling of Denmark, SC and Coly III (Ronnita) Dowling of Orangeburg, SC; three aunts, Mae Alice Hudson of Orangeburg, SC, Geneva Parker of Aiken, SC and Lillie Dowling of Kingstree, SC; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.