Anthony Wayne Gilbert

     Anthony Wayne (Tony) Gilbert, 78 of Lincolnton passed away at his home on January 6, 2024.  He was born on November 27, 1945 to the late Roscoe Lee (Cole) and Isabell (Bell) Tucker Gilbert in Lincoln County, NC.  In addition to his parents, Tony was preceded in death by two brothers; Victor L. and Herbert H. Gilbert, and two sisters; Gladys Hull and Loretta Whitesides.  Tony is survived by two brothers; Albert Roscoe Gilbert, and Jerry William Gilbert and wife Jane, and one sister, Lynda Teresa Gilbert Beard, and many cherished nephews, nieces, other relatives, and friends.
     Tony contracted polio at 2 ½ years-old.  He was living in Maiden at the time.  His cousin Betty of Hickory got polio about the same time.  Tony spent most of his early childhood at the Gastonia Orthopedic Hospital.  They had a free program for patients with polio paralysis.  He had numerous surgeries over several years to help with the damage polio did to his body.  The doctors were not able to repair the damage to his left arm which was withered and limp from the polio.  Tony had to learn to walk again and fell numerous times breaking his left arm 3 times.  Polio damaged his hip and his kidneys.  Tony struggled at school.  The other kids didn’t understand how polio affected Tony and gave him a hard time about his wetting himself due to his kidney problems.  Tony would fight back and stand up for himself.  He quit school at 16 with little formal education.  Tony was given a talking bible that he loved to listen to.  He could set it to go to specific verses of the bible and it would read the verse to him.
     Tony was a good-hearted, caring, independent person with a giving heart.  If he liked you, he loved you.  If he didn’t care for you, he stayed away.  I believe he is in Heaven now in the arms of our parents, Cole and Bell, surrounded by our brothers and sisters that have gone on before us - Victor, Herbert, Gladys, and Loretta.  We Love and Miss You Tony, but we will reunite some glad day.  Submitted by Lynda Beard 01/10/24

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