Barbara Ann Gilbert, a child of God, a devoted wife, loving mother and grandmother, 92, of San Angelo, passed away on Tuesday, July 22, 2025. She was born March 12, 1933 in Buckholts, Texas, to Jerry and Ruth Cryer. Barbara had seven siblings, four brothers and three sisters. Barbara attended Lake View High School. She married Alton Gilbert on June 26th, 1949 in Mertzon, Texas. She was a member of the 19th Street Church of Christ. Barbara and Alton had three children Lynda, Allen, and Kary; along with some sixty foster children over a period of forty-nine years. Barbara has eight grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Barbara worked at Levins General Store and Ethicon, where she retired after over thirty years.
Barbara’s life was spent caring for and loving others and this was seen in all that she did. Barbara was an active member of her children’s school organizations and was always willing to help others no matter how busy she was. Barbara had a passion for baking, cooking, quilting, and especially loved knitting. Her chocolate pies were guaranteed to be hidden so other family members wouldn’t eat them first. Barbara had many names and wore many hats. From Mom, Grandmother, Great grandmother, Aunt Bob, friend, sister, and aunt. It did not matter what you called her; she loved you and welcomed you into her home and heart all the same. As the stages of her life changed several things never did, her love for Christ, her love for her family, and her love for others. While these were constant, some things about Barbara did change; the older she became the funnier she became and the quicker witted she became.
Growing up she helped her dad in the fields and was a self-described “Tomboy” as she would say. She drove the tractor, picked the crops, tended to the animals, as well as any other jobs that needed to be done. Once this was done, she would go inside and help her mom and care for her younger siblings. Growing in a family of eight, four boys and four girls, Barbara developed a caring, nurturing heart; a servant’s heart. She learned from an early age to care for those around you. Barbara met Alton in high school and they enjoyed going on dates with other couples and listening to music. Barbara and Alton were married for fifty-seven years until his passing in 2006.
Barbara’s kids, Lynda, Allen, and Kary, learned many things from her, but most importantly they learned to treat everyone the same and how to love and care for others. These are qualities that each of her children exhibited and still exhibit today. They saw her model these every day in everything that she did.
Grandmother or Great Grandmother enjoyed attending or hearing about all of her grandchildren and great grandchildren’s activities. It did not matter if it was football, baseball, basketball, track, cross country, or volleyball she loved it all. She loved the fact that she could turn the tv on and see Sterlin coach every Saturday in the fall, but her love was the same whether she was watching or listening to any of her grandchildren or great grandchildren.
Her love for music never left her, even up until the last few months she would stay up until midnight some nights watching her music on tv as she would say.
Barbara always enjoyed her lunches with her LIFT group and the fellowship it provided. She looked forward to each one of these luncheons and the many great friends she made.
Even during her last days, she kept her fight and sense of humor about her and that “something special” aurora that she has always had and that just turned strangers into family and made them want a seat at her table, no matter who they were.
Pallbearers for the service will be Brady Gilbert, Sterlin Gilbert, Corey Gilbert, Mark Bland, Johnny Bland, Jeremy Fluhman, Vaughn Lara, and Steven Higgins.
Barbara is preceded in death by her parents, Jerry and Ruth Cryer, her husband Alton Gilbert, her daughter, Lynda McCorkel, her son, Kary Gilbert, her sisters, Evelyn Bales, Virginia Keele, Mary Bonine, her brothers, Thomas Cryer and Gary Cryer.
Those left to cherish Barbara’s memory are her son, Allen Gilbert and wife Michelle, her brothers, Steven Cryer and Dennis Cryer, her grandchildren, Brady Gilbert (wife Lemire), Sterlin Gilbert, Sabryna Fluhman (husband Jeremy), Corey Gilbert (wife Monica), Christy Lara (husband Vaughn), Amanda Higgins (husband Steven), Mark Bland (wife Stacie), and Johnny Bland. She is also survived by her great grand Children, Adyson Gilbert, Brooklyn Gilbert, Cambreigh Fluhman, Carter Fluhman, Ty Gilbert, Cade Gilbert, Levi Gilbert, Konner Lara, Isaiah Lara, Sean Lara, Abbie Lara, Mara Bland, Amber Bland, Chelsey Bland, and Noah Bland as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be on Sunday, July 27th from 4-6 p.m. at Johnson’s Funeral Home. A funeral service for Barbara will be held at Johnson’s Funeral Home Chapel on Monday July 28th, 2025, at 11:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a memorial donation to Meals on Wheels, Hospice of San Angelo, or a charity of your choice in her name. The family would like to extend a thank you to Hospice of San Angelo and a special thank you to Regency House for all of their love, attention, and personnel care they provided Barbara.
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