Joyce M. Gilbert
“Her kindness and compassionate heart was evident in the way she cared for others.”
A Homegoing Celebration will be held at 11:00am on Friday November 7, 2025 at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 616 Locust Street Columbia, PA 17512 with Rev. Dr. Patricia S. McAllister officiating.
The family will receive friends for visitation beginning at 10:00am until service time.
Burial will follow at Habecker Mennonite Cemetery.
Joyce Marie Gilbert, transitioned from Earth to her heavenly home on Sunday, October 26, 2025, at the age of sixty-three. Joyce was born the daughter of the late Luther Charles Gilbert Sr. and Ruth Brown Gilbert on Monday, January 29, 1962, in Columbia Pennsylvania.
A lifelong resident of Columbia, Joyce attended Columbia High School where she held the school record in Track and Field Shot-put event for 20 years.
Joyce loved her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She was a member of Mt. Zion AME Church, Columbia.
Joyce was an avid music lover. She enjoyed playing bingo and completing crossword puzzles. She was an excellent cook. She enjoyed preparing meals for her family and friends and would often get requests for her famous fried chicken.
Joyce’s bubbly laugh would light up a room. Her kindness and compassionate heart was evident in the way she cared for others, often opening her home to those in need.
Joyce was a former member of the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary. There she volunteered her time supporting veterans and military families, promoting youth programs and participating in community service.
Joyce was a loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She cherished her family deeply, treasuring every shared moment, whether it be family dinners, traveling, or enjoying simple conversations. While she will be greatly missed, her love and the memories she created will remain with us forever.
She leaves to cherish her memory, her one and only daughter Nakia Gilbert of Columbia; two grandsons, Alex Gilbert of Marietta, and Peyton Gilbert of Columbia; one great-grandson Jazziah Gilbert of Columbia; three brothers, Luther Gilbert Jr. of Marietta, Warren Gilbert Jr. (Gail) of Columbia, and Bruce Gilbert of Columbia; two sisters, Ruth Mae Colon (Robert) of Lancaster, and Christine Gilbert of Columbia; her best friend Kimberly Ruth of Columbia; a host of nieces and nephews, cousins, and many friends.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by two sisters Rosalie Gilbert and Brenda Graham; two brothers Thomas Jankans and Eugene Gilbert; and a great grandson Owen Gilbert.
A Homegoing Celebration will be held at 11:00am on Friday November 7, 2025 at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 616 Locust Street Columbia, PA 17512 with Rev. Dr. Patricia S. McAllister officiating. The family will receive friends for visitation beginning at 10:00am until service time. Burial will follow at Habecker Mennonite Cemetery.
Flowers will be accepted. Memorial contributions may also be made in Joyce’s memory to the Stephen Smith Community Development and Multicultural Center (CDMC) in partnership with Mt Zion AME Church, 222 South 5th Street Columbia PA. (https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/the-stephen-smith-community-development-project).
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