Ruth Janet Gilbert

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award me on that day and not only me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”     2 Timothy 4:7-8

Hello everyone, this is Ruth or Missie as some of you called me. I want to thank you all for coming out to be with me one last time. It’s been a great journey for 69 years and I’d like to share some with you.

A Time To Be Born:

   I was born in Lexington County to Vandles and Willie Ruth (Johnson) Gardner (both deceased) on May 6. 1954. I was the third born of six children, two sisters, Brenda G. Simpson and Ida Deborah Lynn G. Hayes(deceased).; three brothers, Clifton Gardner, Simmuel Gardner and James Milton Gardner(deceased).

A Time To Live:

 I was educated in Lexington District One Schools and graduated in 1974. After graduation, I joined the United States Air Force where I spent 20 years traveling to different states and countries. After retiring from the Air Force, I came back home to Lexington, SC and started working again. I worked at Veteran’s Affairs and then Midlands Technical College as an Administrative Specialist. I also went back to school and obtained an Associates Degree.  I was a member of Mt. Olive C.M.E. and later joined Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church. I was the Church Clerk, member of the Usher Board and Gospel Choir, Education/ Scholarship Committee and Women Missionary. In the Community, I served as Secretary for the MLK Committee and Friendship Educational Association.

A Time To Love:

  I married the love of my life, Glenn Gilbert, 34 years of true love until the very end. I truly loved everyone, but children held a special place in my heart. Never had a child of my own, but Monica and Monique, well you all know how I feel about them.

A Time To Grieve:

   I was preceded in death by my parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

A Time To Die:

   On Thursday, March 21, 2024, I completed life’s journey and answered God’s call when he came by our home and decided it was time that I join my family in Heaven.

A Time To Mourn:

 I know there are many that I leave to cherish fond memories of me, but I say to Glenn, Monica (Derrick), Monique, and Jhalil: I LOVE YOU and will forever keep an eye on you. Kristina, Andy, Penny, and Lindsay: I LOVE YOU.

Brenda (Richard), Clif, Simmuel (Tomeko): I LOVE YOU more than you’ll ever know, just remember the good times we had. Keith, Rick, and Victoria: you all were my in laws that became brothers and sister in love. Courtney, Felicia( Ivan), Debrecia, Twana, Sonji, Franco, Jimi, and Tony: Auntie adores you and hope you each have special memories of me to help ease your pain. Now to my aunts, Ida Mae and Sammie Mae, all my great nieces and nephews, great great nieces and nephews, cousins and their children, especially Louise (who helped raise me): I hated to leave you, always remember the love I have for you.  April, Mamie, Jayne, Pipa, Chawnie, Tiny and Barbara: I could not forget you; I love you very much. Shelton, Madeline Patricia, Shirley, and Marcus, I did not forget you either, I love you. Also, a very special Thanks to Ganell, Lisa, Felicia, Brenda, and Monica for all the love, care, and support until the end – it was greatly appreciated.

I have shared quite a bit, if I did not call you by name, charge it to my head and not my heart. I’m going to take my rest, I know you all loved me, but God knows what is best. I bid you farewell until we see one another again.

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