Rev. Emory Carter Gilbert, Sr., 89, of Columbus, died Saturday, Jan. 1, 2016, at his residence.
Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2016, at St. Luke United Methodist Church with Rev. Robert Beckum, Dr. Steve Rumford, Rev. Dick Reese,
Rev. Mike McAfee, and Rev. Mark Sasser officiating. A private burial will be in Parkhill Cemetery.
The family will have a visitation and reception in Stockwell Hall of St. Luke United Methodist Church after the funeral service.
Rev. Gilbert was born July 21, 1926, in Kite, Ga., the son of the late Forrest Julian and Anna Gertrude Bennett Gilbert. He had been a resident of Columbus since 1970. Rev. Gilbert was retired from the South Georgia Conference of The United Methodist Church, having served in the communities of Savannah and Wildwood Silk Hope United Methodist Church as a student appointment. He later served in Leslie, Leesburg, DeSoto, Tennille, Louisville, Montezuma United Methodist Churches. He was the pastor of East Highland United Methodist Church in Columbus from 1970 to 1976. In 1976 he became the Director of Development for the Methodist Home in Macon, Georgia. Rev. Gilbert became the Minister of Outreach for St. Luke United Methodist Church in 1989 and retired from that position in 1996.
Rev. Gilbert graduated from L.G. Harris Academy and Young Harris College. He was a graduate of Florida Southern College, the Candler School of Theology and Emory University, THM degree.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Betty Hagan Gilbert of Columbus. Son: Emory Carter Gilbert, Jr. (Cheryl) of Columbus, daughter: Debra Gilbert Comeaux (Kenny) of Columbus; three granddaughters; Patricia Ann Gilbert (Joe), Ellerslie, Ga. Tiffany Michelle Alberson, Atlanta and Christy Lynn Gilbert, Columbus; a great grandson: Carter Thomas Keefe, Ellerslie, Ga.; two step grandchildren: Aaron Comeaux (Mika) Portland , Oregon ;Nycole Belle Comeaux, Denton, Texas; three great step grandchildren: Mei and Aida Comeaux, Portland, Oregon, Joey Walter, Ellerslie, Ga.; neice: Elaine Lingle (Ron) Dublin, California; Nephew: William Norwood (Cheryl), Richmond Hill, Ga.
Rev. Gilbert was preceded in death by an adopted sister: Thelma Davis Norwood.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Methodist Children’s Home, P.O. Box 2525 Macon, Ga. 31203 or The Outreach Ministry of St. Luke United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 867 Columbus Ga. 31902.
Online condolences may be offered to the family at
www.shcolumbus.com.
