Brenice E. Gilbert
Brenice E. Gilbert 93, of Wichita Falls passed away December 9, 2019, surrounded by loved ones. Services will be held Friday, December 13, 2019, at 11 a.m. at the Melton Kitchens Chapel with Russell Brock officiating. The family will welcome friends for a visitation Friday, December 13, 2019, at 10 a.m. at the Chapel of Memories. Burial will follow the service at the Hart Cemetery under the direction of Melton-Kitchens Funeral Home.
Brenice Estelle Gilbert was born October 27, 1926, in Dutton, Alabama, to Bert and Berma Nichols. She was one of nine children, three girls and six boys. They lived on a farm and it was all hands on deck. Brenice went to school on the mountain through the eleventh grade, until she met the love of her life, Louis Gilbert. Louis was seventeen years older than her, but love knows no age limit. They dated a short time, then marriage. One of the many blessings that came from this union was two precious children: Ramona and Ronnie. They lived in Chattanooga for a period of time, and then moved to Gadsden, Alabama. They lived there as a family until 1950 when they moved to Texas to help with grandparents. Brenice had her first job at Wingo Coffee Shop in Breckenridge as a waitress. She worked there several years before moving to Whitman Drug working the grill. It was then she started her career in retail at JC Pennys and worked her way up to manager. During the same time she was the church secretary and taught Sunday school at Rose Avenue Baptist Church until the church closed. Brenice got an offer to work at another local retail, C.R. Anthonys, as their manager for several years. Her retail career ended after being hit by a truck on her way to work one morning. After a lengthy hospital stay, Brenice decided to continue staying home with Louis and enjoying traveling. While on one of their trips to Tennessee Louis fell ill and passed away. Brenice overcame that and jumped into helping her granddaughter and children until they moved off from Breckenridge. She enjoyed ironing for several local families on a weekly basis. She ironed for the public until her health deteriorated. As time passed, she became unable to live by herself. Her children assisted in moving her to Texhoma Christian Care Center in Wichita Falls, Texas. There, Brenice adjusted quickly and became a favorite to the nurses and aide on staff there. It was her home for over five years until the angels came and escorted Brenice home to be reunited with her love, Louis, and her heavenly father.
She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Louis Gilbert; and grandson, Troy Gilbert.
Brenice is survived by a daughter, Ramona Goswick and husband Darrell of Wichita Falls; son, Ronnie Gilbert and wife Kaye of Wichita Falls; grandchildren, Karen Goswick-Forslund, Gary Goswick and Rhonda Jimmerson; and great-grandchildren, Sophie Goswick, John Forslund, Aaron Forslund, Colton Jimmerson, Landon Jimmerson, Boston Gilbert, Greyson Gilbert, Isabella Gilbert, Annalise Gilbert and Aspen Gilbert.
Memorials can be made to the local Meals on Wheels and left at the Melton Kitchens Funeral Home office. Condolences may be made at www.meltonkitchens.com.
