Darrell LeWayne ("Big Daddy") Gilbert

Brother Darrell LeWayne Gilbert, affectionately known as “Big Daddy” entered this world on Tuesday, September 14, 1967, to the parentage of Annie Pearl Summerville and Curtis Willis Gilbert, Sr.  He was blessed to be flanked by eight sisters and three brothers.  

Brother Gilbert accepted Christ as his personal savior at an early age and was baptized by the late Reverend Briscoe James Jackson.  He attended Crossett Public Schools and was a 1985 graduate of Crossett High School.
Darrell was the father of three children – Anthony Davis, Darrell LeWayne Gilbert, Jr., and Janee’ Gilbert.  On May 15, 2007, he married Kimberly Harris.

Brother Darrell Gilbert served 12 years in the United States Army as a Food Service Specialist and was honorably discharged in 1995.  He was also an honorary member of the Pride of Killeen Lodge # 620 of Free and Accepted Masons of the state of Texas. Brother Gilbert was employed by Georgia Pacific of Crossett for 23 years.

Brother Gilbert, who was called the “grill Master” was known for his excellent cooking which included, but was not limited to, his famous “grilled cabbage”.  Brother Gilbert loved listening to music and being with family and friends.   

Brother Darrell was preceded in death by two sons, Darrell LeWayne Gilbert, Jr., and Anthony Davis, his parents, and one brother, William Carl Gilbert.  He was also preceded in death by his maternal grandparents - Lenora and Moses Summerville, paternal grandparents – Lola Bell and Willis Gilbert, six aunts- Ruby Dickerson, Sarah Brown, Valerian Summerville, Erma Leggett, Olivia Arrington, and Mattie Simpson, and three uncles- Willie T. Summerville, John Gilbert, and Willie M. Gilbert. On the early morning of Wednesday, May 27, 2020, at Ashley County Medical Center of Crossett, Darrell LeWayne “Big Daddy” Gilbert concluded his earthly mission and began his eternal journey.

He will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered by His wife – Kimberly Harris Gilbert; daughter- Janee’ Gilbert; granddaughter- Maria McRae; brothers- Steve Anthony (Magnolia) Gilbert and Curtis Willis Gilbert; sisters – Charlotte Marie Daniels (Orville) Echols, Lynetta Tyrie Daniels, Caren Jeanette Summerville, and Shameka Orlean Childress, Magnolia “Cookie” Gilbert, Faye Gilbert, Precious Gilbert, and Chelijah Gilbert; Sisters-in-law – Rosemary Gilbert and Janice Thompson (Bobby) Randle; brother-in-law – Michael T. (Shalanda) Thompson; aunts- Bertha Sue Summerville and Ernestine Turner; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and loved ones.

Graveside service will be held at 1:00 P.M., Saturday, June 6, 2020, at the Westview Cemetery in Crossett, AR.

A viewing will be held from 11 until 7 on Friday, June 5, 2020, at the chapel under the direction of Mitchell Memorial Funeral Service of Crossett, AR

Mitchell Memorial Funeral Service is committed to helping families honor their loved ones in meaningful ways while ensuring the safety of their families and staff members. We will follow CDC and federal government precautions during this coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The Arkansas Department of Health has issued a new directive concerning indoor and outdoor funeral services.

There will be only 50 people or less allowed indoors with no numerical limit on outdoor and graveside service. There is still a social distance of 6ft. Every other row inside the service should remain unoccupied and the family group should be 6ft apart from other family groups. EVERYONE IS REQUIRED TO WEAR FACE-COVERING. NO EXCEPTIONS.

Thank you for being understanding and helping to prevent the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) by following the CDC guideline.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Darrell LeWayne ("Big Daddy") Gilbert, please visit our floral store.