George Washington Gilbert

Gilbert, George Washington of Knoxville passed away on Saturday, June 16, 2018. He was the youngest child of Henry Austin and Mary Oaks Gilbert. He lost the love of his life, Joyce Lay Gilbert, on September 6, 2017. For nine months, he has spoken of his coming reunion with her. He was a Baptist minister in the Knoxville area for nearly sixty years. He served as pastor of Ridgeview, Gayland Heights, Central (Alcoa), Hollywood Hills, Galilee, Northwest, and Middlebrook Pike Baptist Churches. His passion was sharing Christ with the lost and leading them to faith in Jesus. He also loved to learn. He earned a B.S. degree from UT in his mid-thirties, and continued his education, receiving the Master of Divinity, Master of Theology, and Doctor of Ministry degrees from Luther Rice Seminary in Jacksonville, FL. He did additional graduate studies at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY and the University of Tennessee. In addition to his work as a pastor, he was a life-long educator. He is survived by sons and daughters-in-law Greg and Beth Gilbert, and Dale and Angela Gilbert. He has two granddaughters, Amy Gilbert Geist (husband Ryan), and Abigail Gilbert Smith (husband Jess), and three grandsons, Austin (wife Sayde), Phillip, and Gregory Gilbert. He has five great-grandchildren, William and Emily Geist, Sydney and Natalie Smith, and Olivia Gilbert. George had special relationships with several nieces and nephews. He served in the US Army during the Korean conflict, though he never saw combat. A good day for George was to be surrounded by family and friends, laughing and enjoying the company of others. He was a generous and loving man who practiced his faith with humility and sincerity. We believe He heard Jesus’ words: “Well done, good and faithful servant” on his arrival in his Savior’s presence. A Funeral Service will be held at Rose Mortuary, Mann Heritage Chapel in Knoxville on Sunday, June 24 at 2 PM, with Rev. Greg Kelly and Rev. Dale Gilbert officiating. Visitation will immediately follow the service. A private interment will be held at East Tennessee Veteran’s Cemetery. Special appreciation goes out to Rhonda Thornton for her caregiving, and also to UT Hospital’s 7th floor Heart Unit. Memorial gifts may be made to Central Baptist Church, Alcoa, TN, or West Hills Baptist Church, Knoxville, TN. Online condolences may be made at rosemortuary.com.

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George Washington Gilbert

June 16, 2018