Joyce Colleen Gilbert

Joyce Colleen Gilbert of Tampa, Florida passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 12, 2026. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother as well as a cherished friend to many. Her warmth, generosity, and passion for life left a lasting impression on all who knew her.

Joyce was born in Concord, North Carolina to the late Oliver Eugene Whitley and Marjorie Verble Whitley on November 6, 1930. Growing up, she attended Concord public schools, staying in touch with many of her cherished friends over the years. On October 20, 1951, Joyce married the love of her life, Gerry Lee Gilbert who enlisted in the US Air Force. Being in an Air Force family, Joyce was fortunate enough to travel and live in many places in the US and overseas. She met many wonderful people who would remain lifelong friends. For most of her life, she chose to be a mother, taking care of her two sons. As her boys grew, she worked as a loan officer with MacDill Federal Credit Union for 11 years.

After retirement, Joyce and Gerry moved from Tampa to Hernando Beach, FL and Homosassa Springs, FL, eventually moving back to Tampa in 2018. Joyce enjoyed gardening, decorating homes, shopping and entertaining friends. She was known to be a great listener, sharing her well thought out words of wisdom with friends and family. She cherished spending time with her family. Holidays, especially Christmas, were made extra special by her loving touch prompting the words, “Colleen, you’ve done too much again” often.

For the past 7 years, Joyce was a dialysis patient which she embraced with strength and courage, making new friends with her fellow patients and the caring staff at Davita. The entire Gilbert family extends our gratitude to the kind, clinical professionals at Davita – Carrollwood for her phenomenal care over those years.

Joyce is preceded in death by her father, Oliver Eugene Whitley, her mother, Marjorie Verble Whitley, and her brother, Billy Jackson Whitley.

Joyce is survived by her husband, Gerry Lee Gilbert, her sons; Gerry Lee Gilbert II (Linda), Grady Eugene Gilbert (Holly), Grandchildren; Andrea Drakeford, Jarod Gilbert, Shawn Gilbert, Amber Gilbert, Grady Gilbert, and Great-Grandchildren; Kennedy Ann Gilbert, Branson Drakeford and Cali Drakeford.

A celebration of life for the family is to be scheduled over the coming weeks.