Wilda Faye Gilbert

Ms. Wilda Faye Gilbert, 93, of Mobile, AL passed from this life Friday, November 3, 2023 at her residence. Wilda was born in Winchester, MS on Sunday, March 23, 1930. Wilda was 8 of 9 children born to Neva Olena Jordan Gilbert and Albert Coit Gilbert, Sr. She lived there until her family moved to Mobile, AL when she was 9. After a year they returned to Winchester. 

Wilda was always drawn to music and art. After graduating high school, she moved to Mobile where she began her career as a civilian working for the Air Force. She completed 25 years with the Air Force, the last 10 years at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base at Wright State University to develop her love of art. After graduating with a BFA she returned to Mobile. She was active in the Arts, serving 2 terms as President of the Mobile Arts Association. 

In 1979, her mother became ill with cancer. Wilda stayed with her to care for her until her death 18 months later. After that she was employed in Pascagoula, MS to help provision for a landing vessel for the Army. While working there, at the age of 56, she became the legal guardian and Mom of 3 young children, Meg - a newborn, Patsy - 18 months old, and Bill, almost 4. After 1 year she left work to give full time to the care of the children. The girls started college and were married. Sadly, Meg died at age 30 due to a life-long battle with bipolar disorder. Patsy married Bret Ward and they have 3 children, Kaitlyn Faye, 11, Cole Matthew, 9, and Cade Alexander, 4.

Wilda always served her family as needed.  When the youngest child started school, Wilda became a substitute teacher working with special needs children. After having a heart attack, she gave up working but donated one day a week to the school. As a life-long Presbyterian, Wilda joined Cottage Hill Presbyterian Church in the 1990s where she remained until her death. Her children also grew up attending church there. 

Ms. Gilbert is preceded in death by her father, Albert Coit Gilbert, Sr.; mother, Neva Olena Jordan Gilbert; daughter, Margaret Oleta Jordan Tooley; nephew, James Louis Jordan; 8 siblings, Helen, Vivian, Vera, Nell, Albert Jr., Alvin, Margaret, Clarence. She is survived by her daughter, Patricia Annette Jordan Ward (Bret), three grandchildren, Kaitlyn Faye Ward, Cole Matthew Ward, Cade Alexander Ward; nephew, James Leverette. 

Visitation for Ms. Gilbert will be held from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, Wednesday, November 8, 2023 at Freeman Funeral Home, 1305 Skyland Drive, Waynesboro, MS. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM Wednesday, November 8, 2023 at Freeman Funeral Home in Waynesboro, MS with Rev. Stephen Newport officiating. Interment will be in Winchester Cemetery in Waynesboro, MS.