Orval Neal Gilbert was born in Centerville, TN on May 12, 1940 to the late Nettie Marie and Ollie Neal Gilbert. He passed away in Nashville, TN on November 3, 2024 at the age of 84.

In addition to his parents, Neal is preceded in death by his daughter, Amanda Gilbert; brother, Nolan Gilbert; and sisters, Maureen Stoltz Dozier, Virgie Estes, Elva Pearl Gilbert, and Wilma Gilbert.

Neal is survived by his wife of 63 years, Patricia O’Guin Gilbert; daughters, Patrice Bratton (Tim) of Columbia, TN, Shela Chessor (John Mark) of Centerville, TN, Melanie Freeman (Teryl) of Brushy, TN; sisters, Hilda Durham (Gene), Laura Jo McMahan (Jim), brother, Norval Gilbert (Annie); as well as four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren with twin great-grandchildren on the way.

Neal’s life was marked by his industrious spirit—constructing, crafting, and making something meaningful out of everything he took on. Fittingly, Neal’s first jobs out of high school were in manufacturing, beginning with Kenneth M. Wilson, who produced supplies for the U.S. Army. Then he later moved to the Genesco company, where he worked for several more years. He later trained as an industrial electrician, spending over two decades with Consolidated Aluminum.

Neal was a devoted husband, marrying his wife Patricia in 1961. By 1965, they had welcomed three daughters – Patrice, Shela, and Melanie – and in 1976 they had Amanda Gilbert, who was better known as “Mandy” by many. As a father, Neal was both patient and principled, instilling in his girls the importance of kindness, thrift, and a steadfast “we will figure it out” attitude that he carried on to the end. He never once had a negative outlook on life.

A ferocious reader, Neal absorbed knowledge across a diverse range of topics and retained much of what he learned. His interest in local history, plants, and wildlife allowed him to identify nearly any plant he encountered. He loved nature and music, particularly artists like John Denver and The Eagles. He began playing guitar and singing with friends in 1999. This pastime became a lifelong hobby. Neal was always musically inclined and, at one point when his girls were young, took up crafting dulcimers, which he sold at craft fairs in Grinders Switch and Hohenwald.

His crafting skills expanded to a very successful grapevine business years later, selling at the Nashville Flea Market and eventually supplying other businesses. He did this for 14 years. When he sold their farm on Swan Creek, he passed this business along with it but continued to frequent flea markets, known for his unique finds, honesty, and fair price. Neal had a knack for collecting old tools and relics of the past, delighting in sharing their histories and near-forgotten uses.

Neal’s life was one of constant building and improvement. At each property he and his family moved to, he erected chicken coops, gardens, barns, and also improved the home. At 80 years old, he even built his last home that overlooks the beautiful Duck River, managing much of the work himself. An independent, self-sufficient spirit, he was a role model and admired by many. To those who knew him, Neal Gilbert was one of a kind—a man who will never be replicated, can never be replaced, and will always be loved by his family to eternity.

A visitation, funeral service and burial for Orval Neal Gilbert will be held at Chessor Cemetery on Thursday, November 7, 2024. Visitation under the pavilion will begin at 1pm with the service to be held at 3pm. Burial to follow. Casual attire is encouraged – that is how Neal would have wanted it

McDonald Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Gilbert Family.