Mr. Berle Eugene "Gene" Gilbert

Mr. Berle Eugene “Gene” Gilbert, 84, of Thomaston, died Thursday, July 18, 2019, at Providence Health Care. Memorial services for Mr. Gilbert will be held at 3:00 PM, on Sunday, July 28, at Mount Olive Baptist Church in Molena, GA, with Rev. Mark Harris officiating. The family of Mr. Gilbert will receive friends on Saturday evening, July 27, from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at Fletcher-Day Funeral Home. Mr. Gilbert was born in Thomaston on November 22, 1934, to the late Rufus Berle Gilbert and Maggie Collins Gilbert. He was a 1952 graduate of R. E. Lee Institute. He began his career with Standard Oil/Chevron in 1961, and in 1980, he became the owner/operator of Gilbert Oil Company located on Barnesville Street in Thomaston. Mr. Gilbert was a long-time member of the Thomaston Lions Club where he was a past president and was twice awarded Lion of the Year. He was retired from the Georgia National Guard and was a member of the Mount Olive Baptist Church in Molena, GA. In addition to his parents, Mr. Gilbert was preceded in death by his father-in-law and mother-in-law: Ben Hill and Maidee Thornton; a brother, Ray Gilbert; and two brothers-in-law: Jim Thornton and Charles Holland. He is survived by his wife, Jane Thornton Gilbert; a daughter, Ellen (Bruce) Melcher of Leesburg, GA; a son, John Thornton Gilbert of Thomaston; a sister: Joyce Holland of Thomaston; a brother, Marshall (Melinda) Gilbert, of Arlington, VA; two sisters-in-law: Bettina Gilbert of Alexandria, VA, and Jo Thornton of Kennesaw, GA; three grandchildren: Rachel Melcher of Leesburg, GA, and Maggie and Kendall Gilbert of Thomaston. In lieu of flowers the family suggests that those desiring make memorial contributions to Autism Speaks, 900 Cir. 75 Pkwy, SE, #445, Atlanta, GA 30339; Lions Lighthouse for the Blind, 5582 Peachtree Rd., Chamblee, GA 30341; or Cambridge House, 2687 Highway 154, Newnan, GA 30265. Fletcher-Day Funeral Home of Thomaston is in charge of all arrangements. Condolences and remembrances may be expressed at www.fletcherdayfuneralhome.com.