Raymond Lamar Gilbert, Sr.

Raymond Lamar Gilbert, Sr., 90 years of age, passed away peacefully at his home in the presence of his Savior on May 17 2022 after a lengthy illness. He was born April 1, 1932 in Macon, GA to the late William C. Gilbert and Lena R. Gilbert.  He was preceded in death by sisters - Cornelia Hutchins, Marion Whitley, and brothers - Demus Gilbert, Charlie Gilbert, and Clifford Gilbert.   

Raymond moved to Morgan County at a young age with his family where he spent most of his childhood in Bostwick, GA, helping out on their family farm. He learned how to farm, garden, and repair most any type of equipment. He attended school at Morgan County where he met Joan Harper. They fell in love and married on June 20, 1953.  Raymond joined the United States Navy on December 28, 1950, and served as a radar man on the USS Shields, a destroyer in the Korean Conflict.  Raymond came home from his service to our country on October 18, 1954.  He and Joan moved to Decatur, GA where he worked at General Motors.  They later moved back to Morgan County on the Harper farm where he worked with Joan’s father and worked at his brother’s business, Madison Hardware. {He was an expert small engine repairman and kept most of Morgan county’s lawn mowers running.} 

Later in life, he operated his retirement business of pecan cracking. He loved to meet the people who came out to get their pecans cracked and always managed to learn a little something about them. He never met a stranger.  Raymond loved God, and he loved his family; Raymond would help anyone in need anytime or anywhere. He served as a deacon for over 40 years at Bethany Baptist Church. He was a Gideon and always carried a New Testament Bible in his shirt pocket to give to someone he met and share his love of Jesus and the gospel. He was a wonderful father and family man. He would sit and sing to all of his grandchildren and loved them immensely-.  Raymond is survived by his wife of 68 years, Joan Harper Gilbert, and their three children, Raymond Lamar Gilbert, Jr, Donald Marion Gilbert (Carole), and Deann Gilbert Cook (Patrick). He is also survived by ten grandchildren, three granddaughters-in-law, five great grandchildren, and a sister-in-law, Emily Harper Brewer.  He leaves numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. 

The family would like to extend special gratitude to Minnie Williams, who has spent days and nights by our side, as well as two other angels on earth   Cassandra Pritchett and Carolyn Douglas.  They are all to be commended for the love and compassion they have shown to Raymond and his family. 

Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 20, at 2:30 pm at Bethany Baptist Church with Phil Winder and Kevin Ramsey officiating.  There will be a visitation before the service from 1:00 to 2:00.  Interment will be in Bethany Baptist Church cemetery. 

Memorials may be made to Bethany Baptist Church or to Gideon's International.

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