Retha Bell Gilbert received her promise of eternal salvation on Sunday, August 16, 2015, when she was called home to be with her husband and children.
Retha was born on January 21, 1928, and was the youngest of seven daughters of Lousillous and Isabell Bell. She was born and raised in the Oak Grove Community until her parents bought a farm on Shadburn Road. She married Junior Gilbert in 1943, moved to Cumming, and became a "city" girl and lived in Cumming until her death. She is preceded in death by her parents, Lousillous and Isabell Bell; husband of 54 years, Junior (Big Gib) Gilbert; sons, Donald and David Gilbert, infant daughter, Stacey Gilbert; sisters, Dessie Walls, Lucille Martin, Madge Martin, Leona Martin, Lone Thomas and Sylvia Monroe and several nieces and nephews.
Retha is survived by her daughter-in-law Jane (Donald) Gilbert; grandchildren Mitchell (Alice) Gilbert, Melanie Gilbert (Robert) Smith and McLean Gilbert; grandchildren Rebecca and Paul Dankewich, Caleb Gilbert, Mattie, Dawson and Macey Smith; great-grandchildren Luke and Logan Dankewich and several nieces and nephews and her special neighbors Jenny, Hugh and Asa McMillan.
Retha worked many years for the Lovable Company and made many life-long friends there, but her first love was cooking and she worked at several restaurants in Cumming. She began working at Shoney's Restaurant for Linda and Clint Spencer when it first opened and retired from there when it closed. Clint Spencer has remained her friend thru the years. Retha loved her family, friends, neighbors, Coal Mountain Baptist Church, her Sunday School Class and especially enjoyed it when her Sunday School Class would meet at Shoney's and she would cook them her famous cheese biscuits. She also enjoyed cooking for her family and was well known for her cakes and chicken dressing that she cooked for people at the holidays.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, August 19th at 2:00 pm at Ingram Funeral Home Chapel, 210 Ingram Avenue, Cumming, with Rev. Ruel Martin, Rev. Danny Bennett and Rev. Hugh Martin officiating. Paul Dankewich will deliver the family prayer. Interment will follow at Sawnee View Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday from 10:00 am until 9:00 pm and Wednesday from 10:00 am until hour of service.
Ingram Funeral Home & Crematory, Cumming, Georgia is in charge of arrangements.
Condolences may be made at www.ingramfuneralhome.com.
