Ray Allen Gilbert

Ray Allen Gilbert, 89, of Fort Smith, passed away on Friday, July 25, 2025. He was born on May 9, 1936, in Dardanelle, AR to the late Bob Gilbert and Rhoda Lyles Gilbert. Ray was a retired life insurance salesman for American General Life Insurance Company (Formerly Life and Casualty Insurance Company), having worked for them for over 35 years. He was of the Baptist faith. Ray loved his wife, Shirley, who he was married to for 29 years before she died in 1988 at the age of 48. Ray never remarried. Ray also loved his boys. He made all their ball games, and he always made them his priority. Ray enjoyed cigarettes, coffee, Fox News, fishing, playing pool, and Razorback sports. In addition to his parents, Ray is preceded in death by his wife, Shirley Ann Gilbert, two brothers, Cliff and Bob Gilbert, and two sisters, Mary Stanley and Virginia Balloun.

He is survived by his three sons, David Gilbert (Bonnie) of Tulsa, OK, Mark Gilbert (Mabel) of Olive Branch, MS, and Richard Gilbert (Robin) of Tyler, TX. He is also survived by five grandchildren: Beth, Chris, Eason, Evan and Gunner Gilbert, and four great grandchildren, Ethan, Greyson, Caroline and Harrison Gilbert.

Visitation will be from 10:00 am to 11:00 am Monday, July 28, 2025, at Edwards Funeral Home Chapel, with the funeral service starting at 11:00 am. Interment will be at Oak Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be his Grandsons.