Hickory – Joseph Oliver Gilbert, 44 of Hickory went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, January 14th, 2026, at his residence.
Born on March 16th, 1981, in Catawba County, NC, he was the son of Ricky Steven and Robin Roark Gilbert. Joe, the middle child of Robyn & Ricky; loved keeping up with his brother Ryan and being protective of his sister Kelly. At a young age, Joe had a natural gift for fixing anything mechanical or motorized. At age 13, he took apart a motorcycle engine and rebuilt it just to learn how it worked. The practice of learning by experience carried on to his adult years. One of his latest hobbies was learning how to fix anything mechanical that had a computer processor. He also practiced his woodworking skills and had gotten very good on the lathe. Joe graduated from St. Stephens High School in 1999. He next attended Catawba Valley Community College where he received a degree in Welding. Throughout his career he worked various jobs as a plumber, welder & electrician. He inherited his love for golf from his grandfather, Oliver. Joe loved the outdoors. He loved hunting, fishing, & camping with his family and friends. There were trips to camp along Wilson Creek, where Joe, Matt & Ryan would trout fish. More than those things, when Joe was well, he loved spending time with his best legacy, Olivia & Joseph. He was attending Joy Baptist Church where he continued his faith journey with Jesus, who best knows his struggles.
Joseph is preceded in death by his wife of 6 years, Rendi Gilbert; his maternal grandparents, Oliver and Betty Roark; his paternal grandparents, Cecil and Inez Gilbert.
Those left to cherish his memory include his parents, Ricky Steven and Robin Roark Gilbert; his daughter, Olivia Gilbert; his son, Joseph Gilbert; his stepdaughter, Maddy Hedrick; his brother, Ryan Gilbert and wife Kim; his sister, Kelly Fleming and husband Will; and six loving nieces, Jordan, Brealyn, Bella, Dagny, Robyn`Marie, and Kuechly.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Springs Road Baptist Church on Friday, January 23th, 2026 at 11:00 am with Pastor Jeff Brown and Pastor Kane Yates officiating. Joseph will be laid to rest at Springs Road Baptist Church Cemetery following the service.
The family will receive friends prior to the service form 10:00 am to 10:45 am.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Joy Baptist Church at 4015 Herman Sipe Rd, Conover, NC 28613 or OASIS Recovery or a rehab center of your choice in Joseph’s name.
Condolences may be left at www.catawbamemorialpark.com.
The Gilbert Family is under the care of Catawba Memorial Park, Funeral & Cremations.
