Joann C. Gilbert July 10, 1933 to February 23, 2017.

On Thursday, February 23, 2017, Joann C. Gilbert, the beloved wife, mother, sister, aunt, and grandmother entered the Kingdom of Heaven after a brief illness.

She was born on July 10, 1933 in Lynch, Kentucky as the second child of parents William Culbertson and Martha (Maggie) Culbertson. As a child of the Great Depression, she spent her earliest years moving around the coal mining camps with her parents throughout Kentucky, Virginia, and West Virginia. As the economy stabilized, the Culbertsons' eventually settled in Big Stone Gap, Virginia.

Joann attended Big Stone Gap Elementary School and Big Stone Gap High School.

She left school in 1950 and worked as a waitress at The Corner Caf until she met a handsome, young discharged Army veteran, Robert L. Gilbert. The love struck couple dated a year until the owner of the restaurant suggested they get married. So, Robert asked Joann to marry him and she said, "YES!" as she grabbed him and hugged him around the neck. The owner drove them to Kentucky where they were married on September 18, 1954.

Robert and Joann lived in Big Stone Gap, Dayton, Ohio, and eventually settling in Vero Beach, Florida in 1959. She worked as a waitress, nurse's assistant, cashier at A& P Grocery, small business owner, and a homemaker.

On September 27, 1963, Joann gave birth to her only child, Robert L. Gilbert II after numerous difficulties of trying to have children.

Joann's hobbies included: arts and crafts, fishing, reading, and spending time with her family

Joann is predeceased by her parents William and Maggie Culbertson, and her brother Harry Scott Culbertson.

She is survived by the love of her life, Robert L. Gilbert of 62 years, her son, Robert L. Gilbert II (Jacqui) of Vero Beach, Fl;. her grandson, Gregory A. Gilbert of Denver, Co;. brothers William R. Culbertson of Baldwin City, KS; Kester E. Culbertson of Albany, NY, and a sister Mary Lou Fig (William) of Appalachia, Va.
She is also survived by two brothers in law, sisters in law, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins who loved her dearly as much as she loved them.

A private service of family and close friends will be conducted on Tuesday, February 28, 2017 at 1:30 pm at Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home in Vero Beach, Florida, Interment will be at Crestlawn Cemetery after the service.

Pastor Emory Polly of Carpenter's Roads Church will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to a charity of one's choice in Joann's memory.