Barbara Lee Waters Gilbert

     Barbara Lee Waters Gilbert, age 76, departed her earthly home here in Sylvania, Georgia in the early morning hours of October 13, 2024.

     Barbara was the daughter of Britton Greene Waters and Nina Merle Mincey Waters. She was born on May 29, 1948, while her father was stationed in Fort Hood, Texas. Before the age of 3, Barbara and her mother returned to Screven County and the family farm. She became the shadow of her grandfather, Angus Mincey, and followed him all over the farm, where her love for animals and the county began. Barbara grew up in the Double Heads Baptist Church and accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior at a young age.

      After her high school graduation, Barbara attended Brewton Parker College, but the love of Screven County pulled at her heart and she returned after her graduation to live with her grandfather, Mother, and Aunt, Clare Mincey.

      In 1972, while working at Sam Howard’s Country Store, Barbara met and later married Robert G. Gilbert.

      In October 1981, Barbara was offered her dream job as the Bookmobile Librarian for the Screven-Jenkins Regional Library. For the next 33 years, she drove thousands of miles delivering adventures and smiles to the children and adults in Screven and Jenkins counties. She loved to pull into a yard and be greeted with smiles and hugs from all her patrons. During the Summer Reading Club, she made sure she had enough books for every age bracket so that EVERY child could find something they were interested in, and they never left her “office” empty-handed. These children gave her the most cherished name of her life: “The Bookmobile Lady”. It wasn’t just the children she loved, but her adult patrons got the same kind of attention. She knew exactly who she would be visiting the next day, and every night she would reload her shelves with selections she knew they would like. The conversations shared with her over a cup of coffee, or a sweet treat were not just “part of the job”, they were her life. Even years after her retirement, she could still tell you who lived on what road, and what type of books they loved.

      Barbara is survived by her husband of 52 years, Robert Gilbert; her daughter and son-in-law, Angie and Barney Bragg; her “grandsons”, Stuart Dehoff and Thomas Dehoff; her “great grandsons”, Walker, Daniel, Matthew, and Henry; as well as Irene Bragg, and Melina and Robert Dehoff.

      Pallbearers include Stuart Dehoff, Thomas Dehoff, David Long, Jonah Rackley, Kem Rackley and JR Tucker.

     Honorary Pallbearers include past and present staff of the Screven County Library, and the members of Memorial Baptist Church.

     Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 17, 2024 from 12-2 PM at Thompson Strickland Waters Funeral Home.

     A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, October 17, 2024 at 2PM in the Chapel of Thompson Strickland Waters Funeral Home.

     Burial will follow at Double Heads Baptist Church Cemetery.

     In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Jude's Hospital or the Screven County Library.