Joseph Clay Gilbert was born December 24, 1939, in the Promise Land Community to Robert and Essie Vanleer Gilbert and passed away on May 15, 2025, in Arcata, California.
He was the third of eight children. He attended elementary school in the community of his birth and graduated from Hampton High School in Dickson, TN. After two semesters at Tennessee State University, he dropped out to serve in the United States Air Force. Prior to his honorable discharge from the Air Force, he was stationed in San Francisco. He decided to make the California Bay Area his home.
He began woodworking as an artist shortly after he had settled in Northern California. While living in Tennessee he was an active member of the Stone Chapel Church in Cumberland Furnace, receiving consistent pastoral care during his time there.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Bobbie Gilbert Beasly, Beverly Gilbert Williams and Rita Gilbert.
He is survived by his daughters, Sidonia (Marco) Aguilera of Richmond, California and Jaracee Gilbert of Hayward, California, his son Anthony Gilbert of Highlands Ranch, Colorado and his four grandchildren, Benicio and Marco Aguilera of Richmond, California and Kwazaye and Jaiden Gilbert of Hayward, California. He is also survived by four sisters, Della Bryant of Lake Spivey, Georgia, Serina Gilbert of Charlotte, Tennessee and Linda Watson of LaPlata, Maryland. One brother William (Billy) Gilbert of Charlotte, Tennessee. He leaves behind cherished friends Eric Johnson of Arcata, California and Jack and Suzanne Sumani of Eureka, California as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Graveside services will be conducted on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at the Vanleer Cemetery in the Promise Land Community. Military honors will be observed. https://taylorsince1909.com
For more obituaries visit https://dicksoncountysource.com/obituaries/
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