- Date Of Birth: January 15, 1918
- Date Of Death: February 20, 2019
- State: Georgia
Dorris Sonia Freeman Gilbert passed away on February 20th, 2019. She was born in Turner County on January 15, 1918 to Alvin Burdette and Annie Mabel Royal Freeman. She spent most of her life in Newnan, Georgia and was a graduate of Newnan High School. In her 101 years, Dorris never stopped living. She rode camels in Israel and Space Mountain at Disney World. She rooted for her beloved Georgia Bulldogs and cheered on her children and grandchildren in all their pursuits.
She loved telling stories of her childhood antics, including singing on a radio show called The Bluebird Club and trying out for the boys’ football team. She made the honor roll in school and baked hundreds of coffee cakes for her friends and family. She volunteered as a Pink Lady at the hospital and was a devoted member of Newnan United Methodist Church. Of all her many activities and interests, Dorris most loved her time spent singing in her church choir. What she may have lacked in talent, she made up for in enthusiasm as she took every possible opportunity to make a joyful noise unto the Lord. Dorris was preceded in death by her husband Carl Gilbert.
She is survived by her sisters, Aldine Askew and Esther Smith; her sons Carl “Sonny” Gilbert (Joan) and Al Gilbert (Susan); her grandchildren Laurie Stephens (Matt), Lon Gilbert (Hillary), Melissa Gilbert (Scott Newton), Justin Gilbert, and Andrew Gilbert (Britt); her great-grandchildren Karli and Norah Gilbert, Asher Newton, and Samantha Gilbert; great-great-grandson Harrison Logan; and nieces Ann Headstream, Lee Clarke, and Christy Kline . While Dorris will certainly be missed, we rejoice in a life well-lived. We take comfort in knowing that she is now singing joyfully for her creator and regaling the angels with her fantastic stories. May we all honor her memory by making our own lives into a joyful noise, living each day to its fullest, and never losing our sense of adventure.
