Obituary for Ms. Rosena Gilbert (Maddox)
Ms. Rosena Gilbert, a long time resident of Stuart, Florida (Port Salerno Community) went home to be with the Lord from the comfort of her own home, surrounded by family and friends on Saturday, March 11, 2023. She was 91.
Rosena was born in Union Springs, Alabama to the late Louis Miles and Carrie Maddox. As a child, she took on a tremendous amount of responsibility cooking, cleaning, and babysitting. By age 12, she was no stranger to hard work, and managed a full day’s schedule between chores and school. Rosena's parents ensured that she received an excellent education while attending Primary thru Middle School. In 1947, Rosena and her parents left Union Springs, Alabama and moved to Port Mayaca, Florida. There she continued her education and finished her studies nearing the end of World War II.
In 1957, Rosena met John Willie Gilbert in Stuart, FL and they married one year later on August 22, 1958. Shortly after, they were introduced to the Word of God, baptized, and added to Church. Rosena and John Gilbert, along with the Spencers, Deshields, Alberts, Smiths and Pettways were among the first members of the Lake Street Church of Christ congregation. Rosena did not hesitate to begin working for the Lord in the new building. She found refuge in the kitchen where she helped organize and prepare meals during 1st and 3rd Sunday Fellowship Services. Rosena did such a wonderful job that she was given the title of Kitchen Supervisor. She became known for her barbecued pig feet, cornbread, sweet potato pies, and that super sweet-tasting Kool-Aid that she prepared for Vacation Bible School. Rosena taught ages 8-10 during Bible Study and Sunday School classes before service. She remained a faithful member of the Lake Street Church of Christ for 64 years and surely will be missed.
Rosena was also well-known in her community. She worked several jobs throughout the Hospitality Industry to include cooking and cleaning at The Manatee Hotel and Restaurant in Rocky Point. After many years, Rosena left the Hotel and started her own business as a Housekeeper. She maintained her own client list and began building long-lasting relationships with all those she came in contact with. Rosena also started a Candy Store which today is widely known as “Mrs. Gilbert’s Store.” She provided ice cream, candy, cookies, hot sausages, pickled eggs, pickles, pickled pig feet, sodas and more to family, friends, and members of the community. Of all the items Rosena sold at the Gilbert Store, she would become famous for her Lilly-Dilly’s. Nothing could take the place of the joy she felt to serve you and say “Now, come back and see me, baby!”
Along with her parents and husband, she was also preceded in death by her children, Yvonne Gilbert, Evelyn Gilbert-Terrell, De-Ette Carter, Johnny Gilbert and Alma Spearman; her siblings, Robert Lee Maddox, Jimmy Maddox, D. Maddox, Eddie Lee Maddox, Annie-Mae Maddox, Carrie West and Francis Mae Thornton.
Precious memories will always remain in the hearts of her children Jimmy Gilbert of West Palm Beach, FL; Sandra Glover-Jones of Port Salerno, FL; Greg Gilbert of Port St. Lucie, FL; 18 grandchildren, and a host of great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, church family and friends.
Rosena was born in Union Springs, Alabama to the late Louis Miles and Carrie Maddox. As a child, she took on a tremendous amount of responsibility cooking, cleaning, and babysitting. By age 12, she was no stranger to hard work, and managed a full day’s schedule between chores and school. Rosena's parents ensured that she received an excellent education while attending Primary thru Middle School. In 1947, Rosena and her parents left Union Springs, Alabama and moved to Port Mayaca, Florida. There she continued her education and finished her studies nearing the end of World War II.
In 1957, Rosena met John Willie Gilbert in Stuart, FL and they married one year later on August 22, 1958. Shortly after, they were introduced to the Word of God, baptized, and added to Church. Rosena and John Gilbert, along with the Spencers, Deshields, Alberts, Smiths and Pettways were among the first members of the Lake Street Church of Christ congregation. Rosena did not hesitate to begin working for the Lord in the new building. She found refuge in the kitchen where she helped organize and prepare meals during 1st and 3rd Sunday Fellowship Services. Rosena did such a wonderful job that she was given the title of Kitchen Supervisor. She became known for her barbecued pig feet, cornbread, sweet potato pies, and that super sweet-tasting Kool-Aid that she prepared for Vacation Bible School. Rosena taught ages 8-10 during Bible Study and Sunday School classes before service. She remained a faithful member of the Lake Street Church of Christ for 64 years and surely will be missed.
Rosena was also well-known in her community. She worked several jobs throughout the Hospitality Industry to include cooking and cleaning at The Manatee Hotel and Restaurant in Rocky Point. After many years, Rosena left the Hotel and started her own business as a Housekeeper. She maintained her own client list and began building long-lasting relationships with all those she came in contact with. Rosena also started a Candy Store which today is widely known as “Mrs. Gilbert’s Store.” She provided ice cream, candy, cookies, hot sausages, pickled eggs, pickles, pickled pig feet, sodas and more to family, friends, and members of the community. Of all the items Rosena sold at the Gilbert Store, she would become famous for her Lilly-Dilly’s. Nothing could take the place of the joy she felt to serve you and say “Now, come back and see me, baby!”
Along with her parents and husband, she was also preceded in death by her children, Yvonne Gilbert, Evelyn Gilbert-Terrell, De-Ette Carter, Johnny Gilbert and Alma Spearman; her siblings, Robert Lee Maddox, Jimmy Maddox, D. Maddox, Eddie Lee Maddox, Annie-Mae Maddox, Carrie West and Francis Mae Thornton.
Precious memories will always remain in the hearts of her children Jimmy Gilbert of West Palm Beach, FL; Sandra Glover-Jones of Port Salerno, FL; Greg Gilbert of Port St. Lucie, FL; 18 grandchildren, and a host of great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, church family and friends.