Margaret Ann Scott Gilbert

Margaret Ann Scott Gilbert, born January 15,1934 in Milledgeville, Georgia to Jesse and Lillian Scott, passed away peacefully on June 4, 2026, at the age of 92. Margaret shared many fond memories of growing up on a farm helping her father harvest food crops and cotton and going to the spring to collect buckets of “the best-tasting water she ever had.” Graduating June 1950 at age 16 from Peabody High School (the all-girls school of Georgia State College for Women), she left home to move to a small boarding house in Macon where she lived with her older sister, Lucille. Here she got her first job working for the phone company as a local phone operator. When the phone company implemented direct dial service her job was eliminated and she found work with a local clothing retailer as the owners’ secretary. After that Margaret worked as a clerk-typist in the Propeller and Landing Gear Section/Hydraulic Branch at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia where she worked until October 1953. Margaret married Thomas Cain Gilbert on her birthday, January 15, 1954 in the home of Tom’s parents. While Tom was finishing his degree program at Georgia Tech (graduating June 1954), Margaret lived with her in-laws in Macon. Their first son, Michael, was born October 1954. Margaret was a tirelessly devoted wife and mother but was also very generous with her time in other areas of her life. She was an active member of the Georgia Baptist Missions and spoke fondly of serving at the Georgia Baptist Children’s Home in Fairburn. She taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School for many years in her adult life. She was also active with the PTA at Cedar Grove Elementary and Cedar Grove High School where she served as the president at both schools. Margaret was baptized February 1952 at Mabel White Memorial Baptist Church in Macon. Margaret embodied the fruits of the spirit as referenced in Galatians 5:22-23: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Her faith was the bedrock for the way she lived, for the way she loved, and for the many ways she gave of herself to others. She loved her family deeply and generously. She also loved her friends—both the human and four-legged friends—the same way. She found great joy in nature and spent much of her time in her last years in the sunroom where she would enjoy watching the wildlife and the blooming of her back yard. She always had a listening ear and a shoulder to cry on. When she gave advice, it was always faith-based and given gently and kindly. She also laughed a lot and she had a habit of making others laugh as well. She was a treasure to those who loved her. Her gentle, indomitable spirit and her goodness and kindness will forever live in the hearts and minds of the many who loved her. She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Cain Gilbert, her son, Michael Gilbert; sister, Lucille Long and, brother Eugene Scott. She is survived by her sister Alice Aiken of Lyons, GA and brother Hal Scott, California; children, Angela Bean of Fayetteville, Don Gilbert and his wife Linda of Jacksonville, Florida, Diane Ward of Fayetteville, Glenn Gilbert and his wife April of Peachtree City; Margene Koukalik Gilbert (Michael’s widow) of Mokena, Illinois; grandchildren, Dr. Heather Bean and her husband Brian Jones, Lori Bean, Kimberly Bean, Katie Vitale and her husband Nick and children (Brady, Ashley), Christie Cooper and her husband Glenn and children (Brooklyn, Graham, Brielle, Carrigan), Victoria Fonde and her husband Trey and children (Amelia, Audrey), Olivia Duke, Mitchell Ward and his wife Kaylee and children (Maddie Grace, Thomas), Lindsay Ricketson and her husband Murray and children (Annie, Charlie) , Daniel Ward and his wife Amber and daughter Aylee, Nicole Broxson and her husband Matt, and Megan Gilbert. A private graveside service will be held Tuesday, June 9, 2026 at noon at Westminster Memorial Gardens. Those wishing may sign the online guestbook at www.parrottfuneralhome.com. If so desired, In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that you make a donation in memory of Margaret to your favorite charity.

Margaret Ann Scott Gilbert

January 15, 1934 - June 3, 2026