Earl Gilstrap

Earl Gilstrap, 89, of Cumming, Georgia, went to be with his Lord and Savior at Embracing Arms Hospice on January 3, 2014 surrounded by his family and friends.

Earl is survived by his wife of 34 years, Lucille; son Ben Gilstrap (Dianne) of Gainesville; daughter Connie Wilbanks of Clarkesville (Tom); daughter Shirley Varnado of Duluth; daughter Mary Fouts of Ball Ground; sisters Sylvia Cooper and Nell Norris both of Gainesville; sister-in-law Eura Mae Gilstrap of Mississippi; grandchildren Daniel Gilstrap (Mandy) of Cleveland; Kelly Burgess (Tommy) of Clarkesville; Katie Stafford (Jonathan) of Jacksonville, Florida; Shawn Fouts (Karyn) of Ball Ground; Brandon Fouts (Crystal) of Holly Springs; eleven great-grandchildren; special family friends Wei, Fan, Charles, and Margaret Zhao of Fairfax, Virginia; and extended family. He was preceded in death by his wife of 35 years, Irene Loggins Gilstrap, brothers Boyd and Bill Gilstrap, and his father and mother, John and Mattie Gilstrap.

Earl was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend to many. Earl was born in Gainesville, Georgia on December 19, 1924. He began working at the age of 14 to help provide for his family. Earl worked for many years for the Big Star Grocery Chain and in 1964 moved to Cumming to manage Parson's Department Store. In 1976, Earl opened his own grocery store in downtown Cumming, Gilstrap's Food Store. He retired in 1986 and spent his retirement years traveling to 48 states with his wife, Lucille. Also during his retirement, Earl worked at various grocery stores in Forsyth County and McDonald and Sons Funeral Home. He was a dedicated deacon for his church, Antioch Baptist Church of Cumming. He traveled to many foreign countries on mission trips. He was actively involved in the Gideons and prison ministry and affectionately known as "Mr. Gideon." He was involved with the Georgia Silver Hair Legislature. Earl volunteered with the Ten Commandments campaign in which he helped distribute over 600 signs. Earl's greatest love was his love of Christ.

A special thank you to the doctors and staff at Northside Hopsital Atlanta as well as the loving care and support provided by the staff of Embracing Arms Hopsice.

Visitations will be from 2:00 until 6:00 PM at McDonald and Son Funeral Home on Sunday, January 5th and Tuesday, January 7th. Funeral services for Earl will be at the Chapel of McDonald and Son Funeral Home on Wednesday, January 8th at 11:00 AM. Interment will be at Sawnee View Gardens.


Condolences may be expressed on-line at www.mcdonaldandson.com.

Arrangements by McDonald and Son Funeral Home & Crematory, 150 Sawnee Drive, Cumming, GA 30040 (770) 886-9899, 89, of Cumming, Georgia, went to be with his Lord and Savior at Embracing Arms Hospice on January 3, 2014 surrounded by his family and friends.
Earl is survived by his wife of 34 years, Lucille; son Ben Gilstrap (Dianne) of Gainesville; daughter Connie Wilbanks of Clarkesville (Tom); daughter Shirley Varnado of Duluth; daughter Mary Fouts of Ball Ground; sisters Sylvia Cooper and Nell Norris both of Gainesville; sister-in-law Eura Mae Gilstrap of Mississippi; grandchildren Daniel Gilstrap (Mandy) of Cleveland; Kelly Burgess (Tommy) of Clarkesville; Katie Stafford (Jonathan) of Jacksonville, Florida; Shawn Fouts (Karyn) of Ball Ground; Brandon Fouts (Crystal) of Holly Springs; eleven great-grandchildren; special family friends Wei, Fan, Charles, and Margaret Zhao of Fairfax, Virginia; and extended family. He was preceded in death by his wife of 35 years, Irene Loggins Gilstrap, brothers Boyd and Bill Gilstrap, and his father and mother, John and Mattie Gilstrap.
Earl was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend to many. Earl was born in Gainesville, Georgia on December 19, 1924. He began working at the age of 14 to help provide for his family. Earl worked for many years for the Big Star Grocery Chain and in 1964 moved to Cumming to manage Parson's Department Store. In 1976, Earl opened his own grocery store in downtown Cumming, Gilstrap's Food Store. He retired in 1986 and spent his retirement years traveling to 48 states with his wife, Lucille. Also during his retirement, Earl worked at various grocery stores in Forsyth County and McDonald and Sons Funeral Home. He was a dedicated deacon for his church, Antioch Baptist Church of Cumming. He traveled to many foreign countries on mission trips. He was actively involved in the Gideons and prison ministry and affectionately known as "Mr. Gideon." He was involved with the Georgia Silver Hair Legislature. Earl volunteered with the Ten Commandments campaign in which he helped distribute over 600 signs. Earl's greatest love was his love of Christ.
A special thank you to the doctors and staff at Northside Hopsital Atlanta as well as the loving care and support provided by the staff of Embracing Arms Hopsice.
Visitations will be from 2:00 until 6:00 PM at McDonald and Son Funeral Home on Sunday, January 5th and Tuesday, January 7th. Funeral services for Earl will be at the Chapel of McDonald and Son Funeral Home on Wednesday, January 8th at 11:00 AM. Interment will be at Sawnee View Gardens.


Condolences may be expressed on-line at www.mcdonaldandson.com.

Arrangements by McDonald and Son Funeral Home & Crematory, 150 Sawnee Drive, Cumming, GA 30040 (770) 886-9899