Christelle Gilbert
Olga Christelle Gilbert, 90, went to live for eternity with Christ on the morning of Jan. 8, 2020.
Services were held Jan. 11 at Riley Funeral Home.
Mrs. Gilbert was born Feb. 28, 1929, in the two-room home of her maternal grandparents just outside of Turkey.
She was a Christian, wife, mother, Nanny, aunt, teacher, role model, missionary and server and will be dearly missed.
She devoted her life to serving her Lord and loving her family as evident in her career as a special education teacher and volunteer work throughout her life. She taught all levels of Sunday School classes, except men’s group, during her lifetime. She sang alto and soprano in various choirs and groups wherever she lived.
For 10 summers, she managed the gift shop at Heart of Texas Baptist Encampment as a volunteer. In addition, she was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star serving as Worthy Matron 11 times and receiving appointments as a Grand Chapter many times at the state level.
She also volunteered as an EMT, and she served more than 3500 hours of volunteer work in the hospital.
She married Allan Henry Etny Gilbert Nov. 16, 1945, and was a devoted and loving wife.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Bessie Irene; her dad, Richard Bailey Sides; and her husband of 65 years, Allan Henry Etny Gilbert; a great-grandchild, Micah Gilbert; and many other loving family members.
Survivors include her four children, Sherry Clark and husband Doug of Zephyr, Joan Smith of Troy, Gary Gilbert and wife Debi of Alvarado and Vince Gilbert and wife Kristy of Pottsville; grandchildren Kim Bird and husband Erin, Matthew Clark and wife Jennifer, Quentin Clark and wife Shanna, Allan Whitehead and wife Alisha, Tyna Allen and husband Mason, Wendell Gilbert and wife Denise, David Gilbert, Christina Sutter and husband Brandon, Crystal Bassham and husband Jake, Michael and Ayrianna Gilbert, Christopher Gilbert and wife Yolanda, Richard Gilbert, Casey Gilbert and wife Rachel, Brittani Smith and husband Kody and Halye Mair and husband Brandon; great-grandchildren Morgan and Drew Bird, Allison and Cullen Clark, Landon and Sydney Clark, Paige and Maddyysson Whitehead, Ian McDonald, Chance Allen, Jordan Hayes and wife Whitney, Jesse Watson and husband Evan, Caleb Gilbert, Austin and Tristan Gilbert, Steven Craig, Katie Horrell, Joshua and Mikhaila Sutter, Oby Pruitt, Zoey and Zaydee Gilbert, Cian and Karamie Gilbert, Austin Smith and Hayden, Avery and Michaela Mair; great-great-grandchildren Zoe, Zander, and Jenna Watson and Wesley Hayes; sister-in-law Sandy Gilbert of Livingston; brother-in-law Ronnie Gilbert and wife Sandy and family of Post; sister Ladois West of Pottsville; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Her grandsons served as pallbearers.
