Obituary of Muriel Frances Williams Gilbert

Muriel Frances Gilbert of Talladega, Alabama passed away peacefully in her sleep on June 05, 2023 in Greenville, Kentucky. She was 98 years old. Muriel was preceded in death by her parents, Hubert O. and Bertha C. Williams; husband of 58 years, William Walter Gilbert; infant son, William Jerald Gilbert, and brothers, Hubert Williams Jr. and Charles Williams. Muriel is survived by her daughters, Patricia Owens (Jack), Janice Vincent (David), Cheryl Stevens (Rick), and Deborah Owen (Tommy); grandchildren, Stacey Grayson, Laura Barfield, Molly Smith, Brett Owens, Duane Owens, Deke Owens, Amy Petrie, Timothy Vincent, Leslie Wray, Jeff Stevens, Ashley Powell, and Mathew Owen; 18 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews, including special nephew, Kinsey Heath. Muriel was born April 04, 1925 in Lineville, Alabama and grew up in the village of Bemiston in Talladega. She met her future husband, William, while both were students at Talladega High School before William joined the Army Air Corps. They married February 27, 1944 and lived in San Antonio, Texas for a year while William completed training in the Corps. After World War II, they lived in both Atlanta and Albany, Georgia while William fulfilled his military duties in the Korean War and by working with the U.S. Government afterwards. Muriel and William returned home to Talladega in the early 1950s and built their first home. Muriel was a homemaker and later was a valuable aid to her husband’s enterprises by keeping accounts and records. Muriel enjoyed traveling with friends and family to many parts of the world, and in later years she delighted in her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a marvelous cook and was happiest when she could have all of her family together for visits or on holidays. Muriel was naturally funny and her sense of humor was such that her grandchildren loved being in her company. Muriel attended Hepzibah Baptist Church in Talladega for over 60 years. She loved her church and her church family and was known to be the last of the Golden Girls, a group of friends from church who loved spending time together. Her family will receive friends on Friday, June 16, 2023 from 1:00 P.M. until 2:00 P.M. at Hepzibah Baptist Church. The funeral ceremony, officiated by Brother Randy Hagan and assisted by Beaver Tinsley, will follow at the church at 2:00 P.M. A private interment for family members will follow at Pine Hill Memorial Park. Her grandsons and other family members, Tim Vincent, Matthew Owen, Nathan Petrie, Ben Wahl, Greg Petrie, Chad Wray, and Pate Powell, will serve as pallbearers. Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Gilbert’s name to Hepzibah Baptist Church. Online condolences may be made at www.usreyfuneralhome.com. Usrey Funeral Home of Talladega is directing the services.