Barbara Jean Stoops GILBERT

GILBERT, Barbara Jean StoopsAge 86 of Bristol, Tennessee, passed away quietly on June 29, 2013 at Brighton Gardens in Brentwood, Tennessee. The celebration of her life will be held at 12 p.m. Wednesday, July 3, 2013 at the West End United Methodist Church, located at 2200 West End in Nashville, Tennessee. Dr. Michael Williams, Senior Pastor of West End Methodist Church and Dr. Ralph Kidd of Abingdon, Virginia will officiate. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. - Noon at the church, followed by the burial ceremony at the Middle Tennessee Veterans Cemetery located at 7931 McCrory Lane in Nashville, Tennessee. Barbara Jean Stoops was born in Milton, Indiana on December 4, 1926. After graduating with honors from Milton High School, she was awarded a full scholarship to study Home Economics at Purdue University. Instead, she followed her calling to be a registered nurse and enrolled at Reid Memorial Hospital and Earlham College, where she graduated at the top of her class in 1948. After her marriage and several years of hospital work, Barbara took a temporary absence from nursing to raise her three children. When the children were older, Barbara returned to industrial nursing at the Reynolds Aluminum manufacturing facility in Bristol. She remained at Reynolds until her retirement in 1986. Barbara enjoyed travelling, and being with family and friends. She was always a student of nature, enjoying gardening, bird watching, sewing, playing the piano, and loved cooking for her family and friends. Always a selfless giver, she was involved in various volunteer organizations that helped others in need. She and her husband were both members of the local Amateur Radio Operators club, and ardent fans of the local minor league baseball team, the Bristol White Sox. Barbara was preceded in death by her father, Perry Morton Stoops; her mother, Violet June Henwood Stoops; and a sister, Verda Stoops. She is survived by Don, her husband of 64 years; son, Ron Gilbert (Sharon) of Lafayette, Indiana; son, Joe Gilbert (Cathy) of Carrollton, Kentucky; and daughter, Donna Westbrook (Barry). Surviving grandchildren include Ben Gilbert of Cleveland, Ohio and Chelsea Gilbert of Nashville, TN. Her surviving sister is Roberta Brown Johnson of Williamsburg, Indiana. Her surviving nieces include Sandy Brown & Denise George (husband, Scott), nephew and Steve Brown (wife Laura), all of whom reside in the Richmond, Indiana area. She is also survived by sisters-in-law, Nina Gilbert and Judie Gilbert, and several nieces and nephews. Barbara will also be missed by her dear and longtime friends, Rachael Breasher, Richmond, IN and Lucy Gilmer, Bristol, VA. The family extends their heartfelt thanks to everyone who cared for our mother: Peggy Greenfield, everyone at Brighton Gardens, her sitters from Griswald, Pam Walden, Dr. Garmon, & Stephanie Nitty from Guardian Hospice, Trey Harrell, MD and Anne Neff, MD and so many others. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Guardian Hospice, American Alzheimer's Association or a charity of your choice.