Mildred Gilbert Tombrello

Mildred Gilbert Tombrello, 100, of Birmingham, AL, went home to be with the Lord on February 13, 2022. She was born on June 7, 1921, in Cordova, AL, to Stella Jane Powell Gilbert and James Ivan Gilbert, the fourth of ten children. On April 12, 1947, she married her sweetheart, Oscar Lee Tombrello. They raised two daughters, Elona and Kathleen.

Mildred came of age during the difficult times of the Great Depression, which played a formative role in shaping her fierce independence and frugality. During the Second World War, she was a riveter who helped build B-24 bombers. She exchanged frequent letters with her future husband, who was drafted in the Army and deployed to the Pacific. Shortly after the war ended, they married in Tarrant City and settled down in a rural corner of Birmingham, where they built a home together and raised their two daughters.

She took great pride in her home, always cooking and cleaning and maintaining a large garden that grew enough vegetables to last all year. She enjoyed playing board games with her grandchildren, often beating them to their great frustration. She had the finest memory of anyone, with the uncanny ability to remember details and entire conversations from years ago. In an argument, misremembering a past conversation meant sure defeat to her sharp mind. Though often serious, she had a great sense of humor. Her favorite joke was when someone said, “I’m hungry,” she would say, “How do you do? I’m Mildred.” Because her grandchildren always looked forward to visiting and enjoying her home cooked meals, she got to use it often. She loved to study the Bible and looked forward to the weekly Sunday school lesson during her many decades attending Forestdale Free Will Baptist Church. If asked what the secret is to a long life of 100 years, she would tell you it’s putting everything in God’s hands.

Mildred is preceded in death by her husband, Oscar Lee Tombrello; daughter Elona Tombrello Huang; grandchildren Calvin Huang and Kenneth Cushen; and parents and many siblings. She is survived by her daughter Kathleen Garner, of Pleasant Grove, AL; grandchildren Eric Huang of Boston, MA, Cheryl Anderson of Raleigh, NC, Rachel Lien of Revere, MA, Jonathan Cushen of Morris, AL, and Amanda Cushen of Adamsville, AL; three great-grandchildren; and sister Clarice Woodard of Sparks, NV.

Her Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, February 19, 2022 at Ridout's Elmwood Chapel with burial in Elmwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends Saturday from 1:00 P.M. until service time at the funeral home. If desired, memorial contributions may be made in her memory to Forestdale Freewill Baptist Church or a charity of your choice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.johnsridoutselmwoodchapel.com for the Tombrello family.