Gertrude Laird Gilbert

Gertrude Laird Gilbert, 98, died at home on June 18 with her younger daughter, Nancy, at her side and shortly after seeing her younger son, Randy, for the last time. Services will be held at Memory Chapel, June 23, 2021. Visitation will be from 9:00 until 10:00 a.m. at the funeral home. Mother’s service will follow at 10:00 a.m. with the Reverend Billy Gray officiating. Burial will follow in Memory Hill Gardens with Memory Chapel Funeral Home directing.

Mother was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Clebert Gilbert; by her parents, Rufus and Etta Laird; and all of her siblings.

Survivors include daughters, Nancy Crowder (Ben), Northport, AL, and Barbara Peeks (Jack), Charlottesville, VA; and sons Wayne Gilbert (Yukiko), Tuscaloosa, AL, and Randy Gilbert (Maria), Woodstock, GA; eight grandchildren; ten great grandchildren, and one great great grandson due in July.

A child of the Great Depression, Mother was incredibly frugal. She prepared delicious meals with whatever happened to be available in the refrigerator or pantry. A talented seamstress, for many years she made her children’s clothes and was so exceptional that Barbara’s college debate coach remarked that she was so fortunate to have such a gifted mother. In addition, Mother made quilts, many pieced together from scraps, that steadfastly grace countless beds. And her thumb was green! She was rooting plants in her kitchen up until her death and readily shared all of her skills with her children and grandchildren.

As her children grew older, she became employed at Partlow State School and until her retirement worked with people with special needs. Because she and Daddy worked different shifts at times, they left beautiful notes for each other just to keep in touch.

Mother was a loving wife for sixty-one years and a loving mother as well. Fiercely independent, she instilled that quality in each of us. Due to Wayne’s quick thinking, Mother survived the 2011 tornado, but she refused to move in with any of her children when her own house was condemned; instead, she moved to another house where she could continue to enjoy her freedom. Like Daddy, Mother loved nature. Just weeks ago, she saw a hawk sitting on the fence in her back yard for the first time. We shall miss the sparkle in her eyes as she experienced true delight in telling us her nature stories.

For many years Mother was a member of Hopewell Baptist Church, where she was active in her Sunday School class. We take comfort that she is in the embrace of a loving God and has been reunited with so many loved ones who welcome her home.

Pallbearers will be her grandsons and other relatives.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to Oasis Hospice of Tuscaloosa.

We especially thank Jessica, Michelle, Kelly, Josh, Litisha, Tracie, Ginger, and Brenda for their tender care toward the end of Mother’s life.