Alma Lavaune Gilbert

Alma Lavaune Gilbert, 93, of Moberly, passed away Thursday, February 3, 2022. She was born February 17, 1928 in Padonia, KS to Alvin and Irene (Glenn) Wilkinson.

Alma enjoyed playing ball and climbing trees with her twin brother, Alvin Jr., roller skating with the neighborhood kids.  She hated winters in Hiawatha, KS saying that the winters were so cold with a lot of snow storms which made walking miles to school hard.  At the age of 15 the family moved to Little Rock, AR, where they did not, thankfully see one snow flake.  May 6, 1945 Delores and Alma were baptized at the First Baptist Church in Little Rock AR.

She met Ralph Gilbert when they returned to Hiawatha, KS and they married on December 17, 1949.

Alma was an avid bowler, she and her sister Deloris, won first place at the Missouri State Tournament, 1997 against 400 other women in the Doubles Event.  Alma had won 65 trophies during her 35 year bowling career; but she stated her greatest moment was when her and her son Eddie were inducted into the local Bowling Hall of Fame, March, 1999. She was also a lifelong Cardinals fan, having won a chance to go to spring training in 2011 with her son, she enjoyed going to games with her grandson Chris, Dana and their children. Alma watched games on TV when she couldn’t attend in person, once she had her picture on the front page of the St. Louis Post and her neighbors brought her 10 copies.  She enjoyed going out to different restaurants with Bruce and Shauna. Alma knew that Bruce was he “go to” person. Alma also worked as a volunteer at the MRMC in the gift shop meeting people that became great friends.  You would find Alma passing out birthday cards, get well cards, flowers and taking pictures at the annual banquet.  She was named volunteer of the year in 2009 and on her 90th birthday the hospital celebrated by having a great party for her.  Alma also enjoyed working in her flowers, moon flower being her favorite, enjoyed country music and fulfilled her dreams by going to Graceland and the Grand Ole Opry.

Alma is survived by her son Eddie Gilbert and his wife Teresa of Huntsville, grandchildren Chris Gilbert and wife Dana, Bruce Gilbert and wife Shauna, Carrie Smith, and  Crystal Clark, great grandchildren, Kelsee, Kaylee, Graham and Kinsley Gilbert, Brent Hall and Morgan Clark,  nieces, nephews other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Ralph Gilbert, a twin brother Alvin Wilkinson Jr, her sisters Deloris Orton and Betty Walker, step brother Gary Wilkinson and step sister Ruth Ann Edward.

Words of comfort and support were shared with the family during a visitation held at the Cater Funeral Home Chapel.  Funeral Services honoring and celebrating Alma’s followed.  Committal prayer and burial took place in the Memorial Park Cemetery.