- Date Of Birth: April 23, 1936
- Date Of Death: September 19, 2019
- State: Arkansas
Harvey Gilbert
April 23, 1936 – September 19, 2019
Harvey Gilbert,83, of Sheridan, Arkansas went home to be with his Lord and Savior on September 19, 2019. He was born in Kemper County, Mississippi on April 23, 1936, the second son of the late Melvin D. and Arkie Pearl (Vaughn) Gilbert. His family moved to Prattsville, Arkansas in 1952. He was an active member of Philadelphia Missionary Baptist Church where he served for 22 years as Teenage Sunday School teacher. He was past Sunday School Superintendent and Clerk. He retired from Kohler in Sheridan, and was a talented welder, mechanic, and avid gardener. He loved to tell folk lore stories about his adventures with Big Jed the Ned and his dog Ol’ Pete Lewis and the scary- Big Hairy Toe. His stories always carried life lessons about honesty, trust, friendship, respect and laughter!
He faced many physical health challenges in his life from the birth defect of Club Foot to blindness in his later years. Facing all of these struggles he raised the bar for his family showing them that a disability is only a deterrent if you allow it to be. He worked hard providing for his family sometimes carrying two jobs, and even in blindness could grow the most beautiful producing gardens or teach you step by step how to repair a motor. All of which he gives credit to the Lord for enabling him the gift to give back. He would extend his hand of friendship to anyone he met, and if there was a way for him to help them, he did without reservation.
He spent many hours with his grandchildren who would be so lost if they hadn’t learned how to roller skate in a buffalo herd, blow up their muscle; or sing shin bone alley; nor could they ever imagine why ole Rattler kept howling at the moon! They have hunted and fished together and walked miles in his foot prints in his garden, and been the recipient of a good prank or two!
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Mildred Windham Gilbert, brothers, Melvin Gilbert, Bobby Gilbert and sister, Betty Ward.
The loves of his life were his daughter, Tracy (Dave) Brown, son, Michael (Pam) Gilbert and baby, his “pretty-pie” Tina (Bob) McCurry all of Sheridan. Just when he thought life couldn’t get any better his children gifted him with outstanding grandsons to love, Brent Leopard, Brad (Heather) Leopard, Colton (Autumn) Gilbert, Chase Gilbert, Riley McCurry and Hunter McCurry and one darling granddaughter, his ”Farah” Jessica Camp. His love knew no boundaries for his great grandchildren, Kameran Massey, Jarah Leopard, Blake Leopard, Jaxson Camp, Damien Leopard, Philip Leopard and Makenlie Camp.
He is also survived by his brothers and sisters-in-law, JW (Shirley) Gilbert of Grapevine, Melba Gilbert of Camden, Willie James (Ann) Gilbert of Hot Springs, Hollie Gilbert of Oklahoma, Wayne Gilbert, Carl (Nita) Gilbert of Prattsville and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends whom he loved dearly.
The family wishes to extend special thanks to Harold (Doodlebug) Pearson, Larry Benning, Troy Gregory and Franklin Pumphrey for their love, friendship and the many miles they have travelled with Daddy.
