Emma (Berry) Gilliam married Turner Gilliam on January 11, 1923. She became a mother to 6 children; Bertha M. Gilliam, Ernest Gilliam (Bettie J. Parker), Marie (Gilliam) Cherry,(Nathan Cherry) David Turner Gilliam, (Bernetta Parker) Joseph Gilliam, and Lottie Clarece Gilliam (Gene Arther Weaver). Emma Berry Gilliam worked as a farmer on her own land and cared for her family. Emma (Berry) Gilliam was 34 years old when she transitioned on May 29, 1939.