Ed Gilchrist

Ed Gilchrist obituary, Adamsville, TN

Ed Gilchrist

Ed Gilchrist Obituary

Visit the Shackelford Funeral Directors of Selmer website to view the full obituary.

Earnest Edwin (ED) Gilchrist was born in McNairy County, TN on December 4, 1946 to J.R. and Lois Lane Gilchrist. Ed departed this life peacefully and quietly on September 9, 2024 at the age of 77 Years, 9 Months, 5 Days. 

Ed and family lived in the Gilchrist community with grandparents Bob and Lular Delaney Gilchrist and later moved to Adamsville.

He attended Adamsville High School and following school he enlisted in the United States Army where he served during the Vietnam Conflict from July, 1966 through April 1968. He served proudly in D Company, 19th Engineering Bn (Cbt) Combat. Upon returning home from active duty, Ed served in the Army reserve from 1968-1972.

Ed later worked 25+ years for DeBerry Roofing Company in Savannah, TN. Following his work career, he retired with hobbies of collecting "caps" of all kind baseball, businesses, funny and military caps. His other pastime was working crossword puzzles and putting 1000-piece puzzles together, watching TV series Perry Mason and Walker, Texas Ranger.

Ed loved Mt. Sharon Presbyterian Church in Gilchrist Community where he became a solid every Sunday attendee. At one time, he had collected years of Sunday church bulletins but in cleaning house one day, Carolyn thought it was clutter she tossed them. Probably not a good thing for Carolyn but every Sunday Ed could be found on his back pew at the church. Ed has often said he loved his country and he loved his church.


Ed could be seen driving around Adamsville in his white truck, making sure Adamsville and his countryside was safe and also stopping by Piggly Wiggly. Ed recently fell and broke his leg and after surgical repair work was completed, he was transferred to Adamsville Health Care Rehab Unit. 

Ed is survived by his caregiver and special 1st cousin Patricia Ann Gilchrist, niece Sharon Tidwell Brummer, great-nieces Abby Tidwell Pittman (Tyler), Carrie Tidwell Davies (Nathan), Leslie Tidwell Gray (Ashley), great great-nieces Leah Paige Stanfield, Catherine Grace Pittman, great great-nephews Keith Garland Carroll, James Wesley Stanfield and Cooper James Pittman. Special friends Ruth Ryan, Patsy Rickman and Mrs. Dorothy Dunaway. 

Ed was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Willie Carolyn Tidwell, brothers Bobby Lane and James Wallace Gilchrist and nephew Byron Keith Tidwell. 

Thanks to Dr. Nicholas Treece and staff, Adamsville Healthcare Facility and Rehab. nurses and staff and a special thanks to Margie Smith and Abby Kurowski for their special treatment. 

Memorial Contributions can be made to the Gilchrist Cemetery Fund, 48 Mt. Sharon Road, Adamsville, TN 38310.


To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Shackelford Funeral Directors of Selmer

160 West Cypress Ave P. O. Box 309, Selmer, TN 38375

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