Brenda Gilbert
Carrollton |
Brenda (Holmes) Gilbert, 75, left this earth to be with her Lord and Savior at 3:48 p.m. on Thursday, December 19, 2024, at Mercy Hospital South in Saint Louis, Missouri.
Brenda was born on April 13, 1949, in Granite City, Illinois, the daughter of the late Louis and Kathryn (Wyatt) Holmes.
On January 24, 1965, she married the love of her life, Clarence E. “Ed” Gilbert, at the Eldred Baptist Church. Together, they shared 58 years of marriage, raised their two daughters on the family farm in Carrollton, and built a life full of love, dedication, and joy. Ed preceded her in death on July 3, 2023.
Brenda is survived by her two daughters and their spouses, Tamera “Tammy” and Jim Weber of Carrollton and Teresa and Brad Hamilton of Divernon; her beloved grandchildren, Ryan (Cody) Weber of Kernersville, North Carolina, Kurtis (Haley) Weber of Carrollton, Hunter (Bailey) Hamilton of Pawnee, Hayden (Gianni) Hamilton of Divernon, Michaela (Alex) Pembrook of Greenfield, Hendrick (Maddie) Hamilton of Divernon and Holden Hamilton of Divernon; and her cherished great grandchildren, Henley, Kennedy and Shiloh Hamilton, Mira Weber, Sloane Pembrook and Kaden Weber. She is also survived by her brothers and their spouses, who she lovingly acknowledged as her own sisters, Louis “Kirby” and Mary Holmes of Carrollton, Zachary and Donna Holmes of Golden Eagle and Linda Holmes of Jerseyville; as well as many special nieces and nephews, all of whom she adored.
In addition to her parents and her husband, she was preceded in death by two sisters and a brother in-law, Betty and Dennis Newingham and Anita Taylor; a brother, James Holmes; a great grandson, Patrick Lawrence Pembrook; a niece, Melissa (Holmes) Veenendall; two nephews, Craig Holmes and Eric Taylor; as well as her father in-law and mother in-law, Julius and Clara A. Gilbert Sr.
Brenda’s life was a testament of love, resilience, and hard work. Marrying Ed when she was just 15, she embraced farm life with enthusiasm, supporting him in tending to crops and caring for their many animals. Together, they created a warm and lively home for their daughters, whom Brenda considered her greatest joy. Every decision she made revolved around teaching her girls the values of dedication, perseverance and family.
When her daughters left for college, Brenda found herself longing for new challenges. Determined to complete her education, she earned her GED with help from her girls and went on to obtain an Associate’s Degree in Child Development from Lewis and Clark Community College in Godfrey. This accomplishment paved the way for her fulfilling career with Illinois Valley Economic Development’s Head Start program. Starting as a bus driver and later becoming a home-based teacher, Brenda dedicated 24 years to preparing young children for kindergarten and creating joyful experiences with field trips and holiday celebrations. She served families across Carrollton, Eldred, Greenfield, Kane, Roodhouse and White Hall, treating every child she worked with as part of her extended family.
Brenda’s support for her daughters was boundless. She was their loudest cheerleader at sports games and cheerleading competitions, often transporting entire groups of girls to camps and events. This passion carried over to her grandchildren, whom she and Ed proudly followed to countless football games, softball tournaments, volleyball games and band concerts. She delighted in celebrating their accomplishments, including post-season championships, and remained a dedicated supporter of the Carrollton Hawks and the Pawnee Indians, long after they graduated.
In her free time, Brenda cultivated a love for gardening and floral design. Her talent for arranging flowers earned her numerous ribbons, including several Grand Champion honors at county fairs in Calhoun, Greene, Jersey and Macoupin counties. These achievements not only brought her joy but also provided the means for summer vacations with her family, which she treasured deeply.
Brenda’s life was defined by her unwavering love for her family, her steadfast determination, and her generous spirit. She leaves behind a legacy of kindness and dedication that will forever be remembered by those who knew her.
Visitation will be held on Monday, December 30, 2024 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville, where funeral services will be conducted t 11 a.m., Tuesday, December 31.
Burial will follow at the Carrollton City Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest alongside her beloved husband.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Carrollton CUSD#1 Foundation, for a scholarship to be established in Brenda and Ed’s honor.
Memories may be shared with the family by visiting www.crawfordfunerals.com
Crawford Funeral Home
