Obituary for James Daryl “DJ Shine” Gilbert
His Story
Born on Valentine’s Day February 14, 1963, James Daryl Gilbert was the first-born son to loving mother Laura Loretta Riggins and father the late Otis Gilbert in Stuart, Florida. Their vibrant energetic baby boy grew to become adored and cherished by many as the dynamic “DJ SHINE,” protégé of the original “Star Child,” his soul brother Jeffery McColister. Together, they rocked Martin County’s world into an unforgettable rhythmic nation of contagious joy and happiness. James walked in his God-given purpose, encouraging the world with inspiring melodies and messages through song which motivated everyone he met on this side of life.
During his final dance to life’s lullabies on Thursday, November 17th at 7:00 a.m., James peacefully entered sweet rest, but not without a final performance. From his bed at Dr. P. Phillips Hospital in Orlando, DJ Shine showed an amazing energy. It was a miraculous performance to the eyes of family at his bedside and truly a gift from God they will never forget. So now the beat goes on as he still shines within each of us who were blessed to know him. He would often say, “I’m Shine on Me Productions because my music makes people shine!” And that he did liberally, daily mailing out hundreds of music-filled CDs and flash drives and delivering various messages through music live and virtually across the nation as our very own DJ Shine. God was kind and merciful in allowing James to experience life changing increase and spiritual growth as he walked daily in the love of music. What an awesome ministry!
James was baptized as a teenager at Lake Street Church of Christ in Stuart and rededicated his life to God during incarceration prior to being tragically injured and paralyzed there in 2013. From his private home and studio bedroom, as well as his hospital bed, Brother James worshipped and fellowshipped virtually with brothers and sisters in Christ at Pentecostal Church of God in Stuart and The Church of Christ Rise & Shine Prayer Line and others as he shared many testimonies of how good God had been to him throughout the years, loving him, sparing his life, and saving his soul.
James attended the public schools of Martin County. He was incredibly talented and skilled in the masonry and construction profession and labored under Scammel Constructors, Inc. of Stuart, FL. He loved Rick Scammel and family very dearly. He was an extraordinary entrepreneur, as he was remarkable in the mobile auto detailing business and grew to befriend hundreds of clients and business professionals in his work. And, again, he was an exceptional DJ as Shine, the entertainer for friends, family, doctors and lawyers, and lit up many community parties and events. He left his mark in protégé and only son “DJ Chris” who continues to spread the blessings in music.
Shine was surrounded and loved by so many dear nieces, nephews, cousins, brothers and sisters in Christ and devoted friends up until the moments he dropped his mic and was called to glory on Thursday, November 17th at 7:00 a.m. GONE BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN!
Along with his father, James was preceded in death by his sister LaVonya Gilbert; maternal grandparents Jeldrine and Johnny Lee Battle; paternal grandparents, Otis, Sr. and Mary Gilbert; uncles, Foston Gilbert, Tommy Lee Gilbert, Leonard C. Battle, Curtis “Jake” Riggins, and Allen Bythwood; and aunts, Velma Brock, Barbara Anderson (David, deceased), Lorene Battle, and Lula Strawter.
Left to celebrate his memory are his son, Christopher Johnson; grandchildren, Kayden Washington and Aubrey Johnson; mother, Laura Moore; sisters, Mary Louise Rouis (Calvin Sr.), Lolita “Lisa” Dupree (Robert), Ida Marie Coleman (the
late Eddie Coleman Sr.), Brenda Harris (Kenny), and Angie Springer-Brewer; only brother Lashon Gilbert; god-daughter Layla I’mani Ceasor; uncles, Allen Gilbert (Trudy), Stanley Gilbert (Debbie), Freddie Davis, Fredrick Battle, and Wilford Battle; aunts, Anne Sutton (Al, Sr.), Lettie Gilbert (the late Foston, Sr.), Ida Crist (McKinley), Mary Hammer (Doug), Rita Battle, and Joann Battle; special loved ones, including cousins, Linda “Jenny” Rogers and Emma “Tinkerbell” BattleSmith; special caregivers, nephew Gene “Buck” Chaney, Jr. and niece Roneeka Robinson; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends who loved him dearly and who will all truly miss his SHINE in their lives.
Visitation to be held on Friday, December 2, 2022, from 4pm-6pm at Thornes Mortuary Chapel, 420 SE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd in Stuart, FL. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, December 3, 2022, at 11:00am, Port Salerno Church of God, 4605 SE Cove Road in Stuart, FL. Burial will follow at Fernhill Memorial Gardens 1501 S. Kanner Hwy. in Stuart, FL 34994. Repast Celebration will be held 2:00 pm at the 10th Street Community Center, 724 SE 10th Street in Stuart.
Our loved one was entrusted into the professional care of Thorne's Mortuary in Stuart, FL.
Born on Valentine’s Day February 14, 1963, James Daryl Gilbert was the first-born son to loving mother Laura Loretta Riggins and father the late Otis Gilbert in Stuart, Florida. Their vibrant energetic baby boy grew to become adored and cherished by many as the dynamic “DJ SHINE,” protégé of the original “Star Child,” his soul brother Jeffery McColister. Together, they rocked Martin County’s world into an unforgettable rhythmic nation of contagious joy and happiness. James walked in his God-given purpose, encouraging the world with inspiring melodies and messages through song which motivated everyone he met on this side of life.
During his final dance to life’s lullabies on Thursday, November 17th at 7:00 a.m., James peacefully entered sweet rest, but not without a final performance. From his bed at Dr. P. Phillips Hospital in Orlando, DJ Shine showed an amazing energy. It was a miraculous performance to the eyes of family at his bedside and truly a gift from God they will never forget. So now the beat goes on as he still shines within each of us who were blessed to know him. He would often say, “I’m Shine on Me Productions because my music makes people shine!” And that he did liberally, daily mailing out hundreds of music-filled CDs and flash drives and delivering various messages through music live and virtually across the nation as our very own DJ Shine. God was kind and merciful in allowing James to experience life changing increase and spiritual growth as he walked daily in the love of music. What an awesome ministry!
James was baptized as a teenager at Lake Street Church of Christ in Stuart and rededicated his life to God during incarceration prior to being tragically injured and paralyzed there in 2013. From his private home and studio bedroom, as well as his hospital bed, Brother James worshipped and fellowshipped virtually with brothers and sisters in Christ at Pentecostal Church of God in Stuart and The Church of Christ Rise & Shine Prayer Line and others as he shared many testimonies of how good God had been to him throughout the years, loving him, sparing his life, and saving his soul.
James attended the public schools of Martin County. He was incredibly talented and skilled in the masonry and construction profession and labored under Scammel Constructors, Inc. of Stuart, FL. He loved Rick Scammel and family very dearly. He was an extraordinary entrepreneur, as he was remarkable in the mobile auto detailing business and grew to befriend hundreds of clients and business professionals in his work. And, again, he was an exceptional DJ as Shine, the entertainer for friends, family, doctors and lawyers, and lit up many community parties and events. He left his mark in protégé and only son “DJ Chris” who continues to spread the blessings in music.
Shine was surrounded and loved by so many dear nieces, nephews, cousins, brothers and sisters in Christ and devoted friends up until the moments he dropped his mic and was called to glory on Thursday, November 17th at 7:00 a.m. GONE BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN!
Along with his father, James was preceded in death by his sister LaVonya Gilbert; maternal grandparents Jeldrine and Johnny Lee Battle; paternal grandparents, Otis, Sr. and Mary Gilbert; uncles, Foston Gilbert, Tommy Lee Gilbert, Leonard C. Battle, Curtis “Jake” Riggins, and Allen Bythwood; and aunts, Velma Brock, Barbara Anderson (David, deceased), Lorene Battle, and Lula Strawter.
Left to celebrate his memory are his son, Christopher Johnson; grandchildren, Kayden Washington and Aubrey Johnson; mother, Laura Moore; sisters, Mary Louise Rouis (Calvin Sr.), Lolita “Lisa” Dupree (Robert), Ida Marie Coleman (the
late Eddie Coleman Sr.), Brenda Harris (Kenny), and Angie Springer-Brewer; only brother Lashon Gilbert; god-daughter Layla I’mani Ceasor; uncles, Allen Gilbert (Trudy), Stanley Gilbert (Debbie), Freddie Davis, Fredrick Battle, and Wilford Battle; aunts, Anne Sutton (Al, Sr.), Lettie Gilbert (the late Foston, Sr.), Ida Crist (McKinley), Mary Hammer (Doug), Rita Battle, and Joann Battle; special loved ones, including cousins, Linda “Jenny” Rogers and Emma “Tinkerbell” BattleSmith; special caregivers, nephew Gene “Buck” Chaney, Jr. and niece Roneeka Robinson; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends who loved him dearly and who will all truly miss his SHINE in their lives.
Visitation to be held on Friday, December 2, 2022, from 4pm-6pm at Thornes Mortuary Chapel, 420 SE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd in Stuart, FL. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, December 3, 2022, at 11:00am, Port Salerno Church of God, 4605 SE Cove Road in Stuart, FL. Burial will follow at Fernhill Memorial Gardens 1501 S. Kanner Hwy. in Stuart, FL 34994. Repast Celebration will be held 2:00 pm at the 10th Street Community Center, 724 SE 10th Street in Stuart.
Our loved one was entrusted into the professional care of Thorne's Mortuary in Stuart, FL.