Birdella "Skipper" Gilbert

Birdella Schipper “Skipper” Gilbert — born July 15, 1921, and naturally and gracefully exiting this world on March 11, 2025, at the remarkable age of 103 — has finally decided to take her well-earned rest, presumably because Heaven was offering a better view.

She was preceded in death by her husband of over sixty years, Conrad Edmund Gilbert and her sons, Charles Edmund Gilbert and Dale Carnegie Gilbert. She is survived by her children Richard Gilbert (Sheila), Sue Waldrop (Jon), Anne Russo (Andrew, d.) and Elita Smithey (Dan) as well as 13 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

In her 103 years, Skipper witnessed more history than most textbooks. She saw World War I, World War II, the Cold War, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, the Civil Rights Movement, women's suffrage, the development of nuclear weapons, the Space Race, and the invention of both television and the internet — and she managed to stay sharp enough to complete crossword puzzles daily in pen until the age of 101. She experienced 18 presidents, the Great Depression, survived smallpox, scarlet fever, and not one, but two rounds of cancer. Frankly, we thought she might outlive us all.

Skipper worked for the Hon. Seybourn Lynne, Federal District judge in Birmingham, AL for many years. She was also a proud member of the Red Hat Society and the Prayer Shawl Ministry at Lester Memorial Methodist Church in Oneonta, AL. Her life adventures took her from South Dakota to Maine, Michigan, Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama.

Skipper had a sharp wit, a kind heart, and an unshakable spirit. She was known for saying, “Life is short, eat dessert first,” and we’re all better for it.

Take a moment to laugh too loud, hug your loved ones too long, and maybe have dessert before dinner — all things Skipper would wholeheartedly endorse.

Skipper Gilbert: mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, history witness, and legend. She came, she saw, she conquered — and then she probably asked why the lights were left on.

Rest easy, Skipper. We’ll keep the sugar cookies warm for you.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Blount County Children’s Advocacy Center (Oneonta, AL) or the World War II Museum (New Orleans, LA).