Missionary Gilbert

Shirley Lee Gilbert was born on December 2, 1956 in Houston, Texas to her parents, Vera Mae Biggins and Eugene Gilbert. Shirley was the third of five children, all girls. Shirley and her sisters took great pride as the female patriarchs of the family. Shirley began her formal education in Houston, Texas at Doris Miller and Dow Elementary Schools. She completed her secondary education in Denver, Colorado at the Metropolitan Youth Education School, and Emily Griffith Opportunity, EGOS, where she received her General Education Diploma, GED. She later attended the Community College of Denver, CCD and Metropolitan State University of Denver earning an Associates in Accounting and Management. This was quite an accomplishment, as she had become a single parent at the young age of 16. Shirley's greatest achievement was graduating from the Denver Seminary University in 1997, with a degree in Theology. Shirley was a loving and devoted mother to her six children; Eugene, Johnny, Mona, Shaneka, Tanesha, and Yovette. It was a well-known fact that only two things could provoke Shirley to physical violence #1 Messing with her food, and #2 Messing with her children or sisters Shirley accepted Christ at a very early age. She was born into a God-fearing family with an established history in the Church of God In Christ, COGIC, as her father was a deacon, and her mother passed into Glory in the church vestibule while giving God praise. They were taught how to live for God and how to survive in this secular world. The golden rule was "Always Stay with the Church." Her "God Appointed and Anointed" ministry was loving, caring, and giving to and for others. She was known as the "Young Missionary," she and her siblings always said they lived on the church pews, they were in church so much. When Shirley was born, the family attended Greater Emmanuel Church of God In Christ of Houston, Texas, under the leadership of the late, Bishop Bennie Earl Allen. In her adolescent years, once the family moved to Denver, they attended the Odom Temple Church of God In Christ under the late Bishop William B. Odom. Later, she placed her membership at the Graham Memorial Church of God in Christ, under the leadership of Superintendent P. L. Demmer. Shirley returned to Odom Memorial Church of God In Christ under the leadership of Superintendent W. H. McDonald. It was only befitting that she passed into Glory under his loving leadership. She was a nurturing and adventurous mother and sibling, who enjoyed fine dining, and always took a number of other family and neighborhood children along with her. They always ate the same dishes the family ate, even though they had no money. "Casa Bonita in the house." Shirley actively brought neighborhood children to church with her, it was well-known that she shopped and dressed them while sparing no expense. Shirley loved family, enjoyed eating and her favorite hobby was cooking. She enjoyed outings, going to Blackhawk and Central City with friends and family. Unfortunately, Shirley suffered a stroke in the year of 2010, but she LIVED. Shirley kept that zeal she had for life and never wanted to appear unhappy. Her spirit excelled even throughout her latter days. Shirley is most remembered for her Love of God, even as she was immobilized, she would slip off to church without assistance or an attendant. She faithfully read daily scriptures, and watched television evangelists. Secondly, her love and dedication to her children, family, extended family, and numerous friends. She loved unconditionally. Last, but certainly not least, gang members, strangers, the homeless, substance abusers, thieves, etc. were all loved, fed, housed, and welcomed by Shirley. "To know her was to Love her." Her beloved parents preceded her in this early departure Shirley Lee Gilbert's glorious and peaceful departure on December 14, 2016, in Denver, Colorado, left many broken hearts to cherish her memory; children, Eugene (Adriene) Gilbert, Johnny Gilbert, Mona Goggins, Shaneka Gilbert, Tanesha Gilbert, and Yovette Gilbert, All of Denver, her grandchildren, Eugene Gilbert, DaNesha Goggins, Raegene Gilbert, Giovanne Wilson, Aji'Liyah Gilbert-Lawrence, Tatianna Wilson, Tajanay Wilson, Tanayja Gilbert, Johnny Gilbert, Jr., Aaliyah Gilbert-Harris, Armuney Gilbert-Harris, Jameel Bankhead, Leland Hines, Monae Taylor, Kierra Taylor, Ladejon Bankhead, and Dashreea, All of Denver, her endeared nieces, nephews, and cousins, Willie Rainey, Emma McKnight, Michael Jiles, Savannah Watson, Seymoine Watson, Marquis Fields, Marquis Ortiz-Gilbert, Chinedu Egbune, Derik Gilbert, Terrence Russell, Megan Russell, Chelsi Russell, Brandon Russell, Sean Russell, Marcus Russell, Willie Rainey, Jr., Matthew Rainey, Chiquita Hill, Ashley Jiles, Salina Jiles, Ieshia Jiles-Mingo, Shantelle Bankhead, Venitia Boyd, Victoria McKnight, Tyjuan McKnight, Kendal Turner, Dallas, Jimmie Washington, Spokane, WA, Margaret Hogan, Ronald Walker, Janice Fielder, Maurice Trayham, and Matthew Trayham, Houston, Texas; cherished extended family, Angela Whitmill, Carla Pitts, Tessa Adams, Birdie Jean Demmer, Alacia Whitmill, Linelle Whitmill, William Mayfield, Isaiah Mayfield, Stephanie Green, Kinsa Tuggle, James Kelly (P), Mary McNeil, Rhonda Jackson, Demetris O'Neal, Joyce Washington, Walter Carme, Abner Thorns; her dear friend, Elizabeth Fleming; and a host of other beloved relatives and friends.

Funeral Home: Pipkin Braswell Funerals and Cremation - 2050 Uinta Street, Denver, Colorado
Visitation: 12/27/2016 at 9:00 AM - Odom Memorial Church of God in Christ - 3301 Williams Street, Denver, CO
Service: 12/27/2016 at 11:00 AM - Odom Memorial Church of God in Christ - 3301 Williams Street, Denver, CO
Cemetery: 12/27/2016 - Following the Service Mount Olivet Cemetery - 12801 West 44th Avenue Wheat Ridge, CO