Mr. Bossie Gilbert Jr.

GILBERT, Mr. Bossie Jr. - Age 90, passed away Monday, March 11, 2024, at McLaren-Flint. Family hour 10:30 AM Friday, March 22, 2024, at Foss Ave. Baptist Church, 1159 E. Foss Ave., with funeral service commencing at 11:00 AM Pastor Brian Frelix, officiating. Interment, Sunset Hills Cemetery, G-4413 Flushing Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10:30 AM Friday. Mr. Gilbert will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM Thursday. Mr. Bossie Gilbert Jr. was born November 8, 1933 in Ryan, Arkansas, the son of Bossie Sr. and Annie Mae (Walker) Gilbert. Bossie graduated from Lakeview High School in Arkansas, “Class of 1954” and 3 days later he headed north in search of employment. He was headed to Chicago from Arkansas, but was redirected to Flint, Michigan. Bossie was told by friends that General Motors jobs were plentiful. Upon arrival to Flint for a short time he worked at a service station. On October 14, 1954 he hired into General Motors Corporation. Bossie got the biggest check of his life, in the amount of $100.00. He worked for General Motors until 1961. Bossie also worked for the City of Flint for 11/2 years laying asphalt. He then went to work for Fessler & Bowman Inc. (Concrete Contractors). Bossie worked until 1988 when he retired. He also for a period of time had a construction company, Melvin Morgan & Bossie Gilbert Construction Company. Bossie Gilbert Jr. met the love of his life in 1956, Merlene Taylor. They were married in May of 1961, after 45 years of marriage Merlene Gilbert passed away on April 11, 2006. Bossie spent his time visiting the sick and shut-in, delivering food baskets to his family and friends, attending all the family functions and taking pictures & videos. And his favorite past-time was attending all the high school sporting events, (football, basketball and baseball) where he is well known as the peanut man. Because he always has a snack bag of peanuts. Bossie was a devoted member of Foss Avenue Baptist Church where he served as an Auxiliaries Trustee, Layman, Usher and on the Kitchen Committee. Mr. Bossie Gilbert Jr. leaves to cherish his memory: children, Sherry (Steve) Isom of Gaithersburg, MA, Veonia (Tiny) Gilbert of St. Louis, MO, Carl David (Keybo) Gilbert of Upper Marlboro, MA, Velvest Annette Gilbert, Brenda Jo (Maurice Sr.) Taylor-Purches, all of Flint, Shar’ron Andre Smith of Hayward, CA and Oscar Leon (Waniece) Smith of Grand Blanc, MI; 16 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; 7 great-great-grandchildren; 8 nieces; 8 nephews; sister-in-law, Jean Gilbert of Little Rock, AR; a host of other relatives and friends including beloved nephew, Jack (Sandra) Gilbert of Little Rock, AR. Mr. Gilbert was preceded in death by his wife of 45 years, Merlene Gilbert; parents, Bossie Sr. and Annie Mae Gilbert; daughter-in-law, Vickie P. Smith; sister, Ethel “Twig” Gilbert; 3 brothers, Ealgie “Buck” Gilbert, Edmond “Jeb” Gilbert and Johnnie “Red” Gilbert. The family would like to express special thanks to Ms. Earlene Wesson, Carol, Rod and Reggie Neely, Foss Avenue Baptist Church, Triumph Ebenezer Church, Mt. Jezreel Baptist Church of Silver Spring, MD, Laborers Union Local #1075, McLaren-Flint ICU, Jerry Valentine, John and Sheila Wells. A very special thank you to his most gracious and amazing caregiver, Jojuana Smith.

Mr. Bossie Gilbert Jr.

November 8, 1933 - March 11, 2024