Gassie Ray Gilbert, 87, of Denver, NC died on Thursday, May 8, 2014, at Sherrills Ford Hospice House, following a brief illness. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, astute business woman, and world traveler.

Born June 21, 1926 in Macon County, she was the daughter of the late John and Georgia Ray. Spending her childhood in the mountains of North Carolina. Mrs. Gilbert later moved to Gastonia taking her first job at the historic Firestone Mill. During her employment there, she was crowned “Miss Firestone” in the company’s annual beauty pageant. After her marriage to the late Wray Gilbert, they owned and operated Gilbert’s Shoe Store in Lincolnton. It was during this time that Mrs. Gilbert was named Lincolnton’s Business Woman of the Year. Upon retirement in 1974, Mrs. Gilbert and husband, Wray built and enjoyed their home on Lake Norman. In their retirement years, the couple traveled extensively throughout the world.

In addition to her parents Mrs. Gilbert was preceded in death by her husband, Wray Hall Gilbert, and brothers, Clint and Burl Ray.

She is survived by one son, Richard Lee Gilbert and wife, Harriette of Sherrills Ford, two grandchildren, Lindsay (Mac) McDowell Gilbert and wife, Leslie of Apex, NC, Blair Gilbert Frazier and husband, Scott of Mooresville, and three great grandchildren, Ashelyn and Juliet Gilbert, and Graham Frazier. Also surviving is one sister, Gladys Welch of Lincolnton, and two brothers, Hess Ray, of Mo. and Willard Ray of Franklin, NC, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to express special thanks to the staff of Sherrills Ford Hospice House for their compassionate and loving care of Mrs. Gilbert during her final days.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, May 12, 2014 at 2:00 PM at Bethphage Lutheran Church with Reverend R. Frederick Mitschke, Pastor officiating. Burial will follow the service in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends in the church fellowship hall from 1:00 – 1:45 PM prior to the funeral service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Bethphage Lutheran Church, 3440 Highway 182, Lincolnton, NC 28092, or to Sherrills Ford Hospice House, 7473 Sherrills Ford Road, Sherrills Ford, NC 28673.

Carpenter’s Funeral and Cremation Services, of Cherryville is serving the family of Mrs. Gilbert.

Condolences may be made to www.carpentersfuneralhome.net