Phil "Chicken" Gilbert, 87, passed away on Wednesday evening, November 25, 2020. Graveside services will be held on Saturday, November 28 at 1 o'clock, in Riverside Cemetery, led by Reverends Mark and Fran Magoni. Family will greet friends at the graveside, following the committal service.
Mr. Gilbert, known to many as "Chicken" was born in Dublin, Georgia and lived his early life in Dexter, Georgia. He graduated from Dexter High School and played both basketball and baseball for many years. He furthered his education at Brewton Parker Junior College on a basketball scholarship, where he was later inducted to the Brewton-Parker Athletic Hall of Fame in 1998. Chicken was offered a scholarship with the University of Georgia, which he declined and was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies, major league baseball team. He played in a town outside of Montreal, Canada with the Phillies' farm team for one year but was released before continuing to the Major League.
For over 30 years, Chicken owned and operated Phil's Food Store on Napier Avenue in Macon, retiring in 1990. When he was able, he attended Martha Bowman United Methodist Church with his wife, Betty, who was active in the church choir. Phil was preceded in death by his 8 siblings.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 70 years, Betty T. Gilbert; sons, Phillip Jimmy Gilbert, Jr. (Rhonda), Tommy Gilbert (Kathy); grandchildren, Sydnee Roberts (Steve), Andrew Gilbert (Amanda), Matt Gilbert, Jessica Kosmowski (Bob), Phillip Gilbert (Christina); 9 great grandchildren; several nieces, nephews and extended family.
Visit www.snowscs.com to express condolences.
Arrangements entrusted to Snow's Memorial Chapel, Cherry Street.
