Michael "Ming" Gillis

Ming (Michael Lee) Gillis, born November 29th, 1967 passed on December 25th, 2018. Son of Ruby Yarbrough (Carlton Yarbrough) and Willie Lee Gillis (Margret). Ming graduated Pinehurst high school in 1986 where he received a football scholarship to JCSU in Charlotte NC.

He leaves behind his loving fiancé Mary Blackhorse; his sons: Michel Gillis, Matthew Gillis, Darius Blackhorse and Ethan Blackhorse; his brothers: Steve Gillis and wife Kristy, Tirrel and wife Emily, Carl Yarbrough and wife Shannon; his sister: Camilla Balding and husband Steve; a special Aunt he loved as a mother, Bonnie Brown; Dorothy Blue Lindsey, an aunt he grew up with as a sister; Aunts and Uncles: James Gillis (Janet), Betty Gillis (Earl), Carolyn Jenkins (Alan), Woody Hines (Claire), Oliver Hines (Libby), Jerry Hines (Ester), Johnnie Hines (Thomasina), Scottie Hines, Donnie Hines and Leon Hines; a host of nieces and nephews; five special friends who were like brothers: Fray Dinnall, Eric Payne, Earl Wright, John Rachel, and Billy Barefoot; his special friend who is in heaven with him, Connard Martin.

Ming was a person that at first meeting you instantly loved him. Ming had been ill but that didn’t stop him from being the first person to help anyone in need. Be it ice storms, hurricanes, flooding. Ming did not sleep during disasters in our community.  It is ironic that Ming passed doing what he loved...He was involved with programs AWOL, Ocean Isle Beach Turtle Beach Sea Turtle Protection Organization, and Project Santa that restored bikes and gave to kids in need on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. He was doing just that when he collapsed and passed an hour later at First Health Moore Reginal surrounded by the people he loved most. Ming touched so many lives during his short time on this Earth. He had a smile for everyone he met – a smile that you couldn’t help but return. We know that Ming was celebrating our Lord’s birthday at His right hand, finally, free of pain. Fly with the Angels, our friend. You were loved and will be greatly missed

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