Eben N. Gilbert, Jr. was born in McMinnville, Tennessee on July 28, 1938 to Eben N. Gilbert, Sr. and Lois Evans Gilbert. While he was still in grammar school, his parents moved to Chattanooga where he attended Chattanooga public schools. After finishing his B.A. in Music and Biblical studies at Lipscomb University, he taught Band first in Harlan, Kentucky, and then in McMinnville at Central, City, and then Warren County Consolidated High School. He became the Minister at Staten Island Church of Christ for a few years, and when he returned to McMinnville, he helped start Boyd Christian School and served as its first principal. He also served as the minister at Rockliff Church of Christ. He became the principal at Taft Youth Center and then left there to help found the Tennessee Correctional Academy where he wrote curricula and served as Youth Service Training Supervisor for the Dept. of Correction and the Dept. of Instruction. He returned to Taft Youth Center as Manager of Treatment, while providing counseling at The Alliance for Community Outreach. Upon retiring from Taft, Eben became the Minister of Family Life & Counseling at Westwood Church of Christ. While working full time he earned two master’s degrees and a doctorate.
Eben is survived by his wife Linda Redmon Gilbert, their two children, Dr. David Gilbert of San Jose, CA, and Dawn Gilbert White who lives in Rock Island, TN with her husband Rob, and his two grandchildren, Emma White of Ypsilanti, MI, and Jake White of Walling, TN, all of which are the loves of his life.
Eben was laid to rest at Mt. View Cemetery in McMinnville next to his beloved parents and grandparents in a private ceremony on August 17th, 2023.
Anyone who would like to can make a donation in his name to Boyd Christian School, Westwood Church of Christ, or Lipscomb University, as all were organizations that were near and dear to Eben’s heart.
Online Condolences may be made at www.mcminnvillefuneralhome.com
