Willie L Gilbert

~ The Obituary ~

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.    Psalm 23:4

     Willie “Will” Lewis Gilbert was born on September 15, 1940 in Darlington, South Carolina. He was the son of the late Glover and Beulah (Brown) Gilbert. He departed this life on August 30, 2024 and is now resting in the loving arms of Jesus.

     “Will” attended Mill Creek Missionary Baptist Church until moving to Finklea, South Carolina where he became a member of Silent Grove Baptist Church. Upon returning to Mullins, South Carolina, he rejoined Mill Creek Missionary Baptist Church where he was a faithful member until his health began to fail.

     Three siblings: James Jake Gilbert, Spencer Gilbert and Minnie Lee Jeffrey; one grandchild: Jordan Ellerbe preceded him in death.

     He leaves to cherish fond and precious memories his wife of 59 years, Francis Mae (Gilchrist) Gilbert; three sons: Michael Gilchrist of Mullins, SC; Kenneth (Annette) Gilchrist of Graniteville, SC and Russell (Seritha) Gilbert of Bonaire, GA: two daughters: Carolyn Ellerbe of Darlington, SC and Wanda Gilbert of Mullins, SC; eleven grandchildren: Larry Ellerbe, Jr. of Timmonsville, SC ; Eric Ellerbe of Darlington, SC; Maurice (Barbara Ann) Gilchrist of Artesia, MS; Quentin (Tanicia) Gilchrist of Florence, SC; Dorian Dudley of Lakenheath, England; Brittany Dudley of Graniteville, SC; Mercedes Gilbert of Arizona; Daniel Dudley of Fort Worth, TX; Kendall Gilchrist of Socastee, SC; Gabrielle Gilbert and Jazmine Gilbert of Bonaire, GA; ten great-grandchildren; Shatashia Rivers of Sumter, SC; Destiny Williams of High Point, NC; Jayden Burgess of Florence, SC; Antonio Ellerbe of Darlington, SC; Ja’sya Gilchrist of Mullins, SC; India Hairston and Ma’leah Hairston of Graniteville, SC; Christian Gilchrist and Chloe Gilchrist of Florence, SC; Jual Smith of Graniteville, SC and Aaliyanah Bing of Arizona; four brothers: Roland Gilbert of Darlington, SC; Alan (Donnie) Gilbert of Hartsville, SC; Glover (Jonnie) Gilbert, Jr. of Darlington, SC and James (Sunet) Gilbert of Fayetteville, NC; one sister: Annie Lee Gilbert of Darlington, SC; one special niece, Linda Jeffery of Darlington, SC; two special nephews: Charles Jeffrey of Darlington, SC; and Sam Gilbert of Savannah, GA and a host of nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.

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