Vernon Wilbert

WILBERT, Mr. Vernon W. - Age 61, passed away Saturday, August 8, 2009 at McLaren Regional Medical Center. Family hour 10AM Tuesday, August 18, 2009 at First Trinity Missionary Baptist Church, 1226 Beach St., with funeral service commencing at 11AM, Rev. Eddie Chaney officiating. Pastor F.O. Hockenhull, Host Pastor. Interment Great Lakes National Cemetery, G-4200 Belford Rd., Holly, MI. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10AM Tuesday. Mr. Wilbert will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 12Noon-8PM Monday. Mr. Vernon Wayne “V.W.” Wilbert, Sr. was born May 16, 1948 in El Dorado, Arkansas to the parents of Albert W. and Verna M. Wilbert. Vernon had accepted Christ and was a faithful member of Community Fellowship Baptist Church, under the leadership of Pastor E. Chaney. His parents instilled in him Christian values and a desire for learning. Vernon attended Flint Public Schools, graduating from Flint Central High School. Upon graduating, he enlisted in the United States Army. He attained the ranking of Sergeant while stationed in Germany and in 1968 was then stationed in Vietnam. Vernon returned to Flint in 1969 with an Honorable Discharge and Bronze Medal. He attended 1½ years of community college and then became employed with General Motors. Vernon then took a job with the Railroad Company and was employed for 3 years. On November 4, 1974, he became a Flint Firefighter, retiring as the First Driver with 24 years of service. He enjoyed his profession and was a dedicated Fireman. Vernon later attained his Realtor License and dabbed in Real Estate. He had many interest, one was learning the Bible, cooking and an avid reader of many topics. His passion was for raising unusual dogs like the Boerboel, from West Africa, where he had them shipped to America, barbequing and bragging about how good it was, but always willing to share. Vernon was a gracious, caring, blunt, outspoken and very opinionated man, who had no problem expressing himself to others. He always believed in helping others, especially children. Vernon had a love for music of all kind and loved to fish when he had time. He was also a life-long fan of the New York Yankees and Oakland Raiders. Mr. Vernon Wayne Wilbert, Sr. leaves to cherish his memory: loving son, Vernon (Sharieka) Wilbert II; devoted mother, Verna M. Cobb; 3 grandchildren, Tevon of Atlanta, GA, Lyric and Zaria, both of Flint; 5 brothers, Ronald (Linda) Raulston of Flint, Shep Wilbert II of Stuttgart, AR, Edward L. (Deloris) Cobb of Milwaukee, WI, Keith Cobb of Grand Blanc, MI and Crispin (Erma) Wilbert of North Little Rock, AR; 6 sisters, Vickie Cobb-Woodyard and Verna V. Cobb, both of Flint, Debra (Fred) Brown, Regina (Ken) Nottle, all of Little Rock, AR, Jennifer (Steve) McCoy of East Lansing, MI and In his words “My Sister” Robbie "Nicci" (Phillip) Byrd of Archbold, OH; stepmother, Jeffie Wilbert of Little Rock, AR; 4 aunts, Marzell (Nile) Smith of El Dorado, AR, Grace (George) Charles of Little Rock, AR, Cleopatra Johnson of Toledo, OH and Annie Holland of Flint; 3 uncles, Walter Wilbert, Herbert (Geraldine) Wilbert, all of Detroit, MI, Jessie (Shirley) Wilbert of Columbia, MO; a host of nieces including special nieces, ShaRhonda Raulston and Vianni Cobb; a host of nephews; a host of cousins including special cousin, Bryan Smith; special extended brothers, Theron Wiggins, Clarence Wheeler, Perry Malone, Paul Coulter, Alfred Stearns, Rudy Thomas, Nick Harrison, Donnie Stone, Dwight Friend, Larry Anderson, Sha-ron Bond and William Dorsey; special extended sisters, Kim Blair and Martha “Tee” Dukes and mother of his son, Patricia Horne, the City of Flint Fire Fighters, his Veterans' Family and his life-long attorney, David Megdell. Mr. Wilbert was preceded in death by his father, Albert W. Wilbert; daddy, Ledell Cobb; grandparents, Reversie and Dave Armstrong, Shep and Grace Wilbert; nephew, Phillip Martin-Byrd; aunt, Ajeuenesse Traylor; uncle, Willie Wilbert and close brother from the Army, Actor Lionel Smith. The family would like to express special thanks to his doctors, Dr. Goleba, Dr. Alamay, Dr. Gantra and Dr. Muller, all the doctors, nurses and staff of McLaren Regional Medical Center, including the ICU floor and Junior's Car Wash. For Those Who Knew Vernon, Knows He Lived His Life!

Vernon Wilbert

May 16, 1948 - August 8, 2009