Gordon Eugene Gilbreath was born to Alvin and Ora Gilbreath on August 14, 1934. At the time, they lived on the Fleming Farm in Madison County near Farley, AL. A few years later, his Dad bought 40 acres on Sand Mountain in DeKalb County near Sylvania, AL.
He graduated from Sylvania High School in 1953. There in the 7th grade, he met “that little Benefield girl”. Gordon and Doris married August 11, 1956. They had almost 67 years together.
Their first child, Eugene Leon, was born and died on December 31, 1959. Later, their daughter Joy Darlene became the “joy” of their lives.
At age 13, Gordon accepted Christ on a Friday morning when the students of Sylvania School were dismissed from class to attend the morning revival service. He remained faithful to his commitment to Christ.
In 1959, Gordon and Doris moved to Huntsville, where he found his place in the secular world as a salesman, first at the new Montgomery Ward store in the mall, later at Sears and finally at J.C. Penney Company. He sold furniture, appliances and sewing machines at Penney’s until the store moved to Madison Square Mall. He left Penney’s in 1980 to open his own business: Gilbreath Home Beautifier. He and his crew hung gutters on hundreds of homes in Huntsville and the surrounding area.
In Huntsville, the Gilbreaths joined Lincoln Memorial Baptist Church where in 1961, Dr. Lee J. Hudson became the pastor. Over and over, Dr. Hudson preached “he that winneth souls is wise”. Gordon said he wanted to be a wise man, so he began to pray that God would make him a soul winner. God answered that prayer in a wonderful way. He has led dozens of people to salvation, both here in Huntsville, and on 26 overseas mission trips.
He was ordained a deacon in 1966. He served as an usher and greeter for many years at Lincoln Memorial Baptist Church, at Heritage Baptist Church, and at Pineview Baptist. In late 1997, Gordon and Doris moved to southeast Huntsville to be near their daughter and granddaughters. They joined Whitesburg Baptist Church in March 1998, where he continued to be an usher and greeter.
Gordon and Doris joined The Gideons International in 1975. They attended 40 international conventions, which were held in major cities in the United States.
During the 6 years that Gordon served as Gideon State Chaplain, he was invited to speak on personal witnessing in Gideon camps all over the state of Alabama. He often said “There’s nothing special about me. I’m just a Sinner saved by grace. If I can do it, you can do it.”
Gordon is predeceased by his parents, Alvin and Ora Gilbreath; son, Eugene Leon Gilbreath; brothers, Charles Ray and Glenn Loyd Gilbreath; sisters, Betty Nichols and Janie Johnson. He is survived by his wife Doris; daughter, Joy Stuckey (Lynn); his granddaughters, Jessica Clontz (Steven) and Julia Fullinwider (Cameron); his great-granddaughter, Madeline Clontz; and his sisters, Opal Walker and Dorothy Gribble. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews and a host of friends.
Visitation will be from 9:30 until 11:00 a.m. Tuesday at Whitesburg Baptist Church – Main Campus. The funeral service will immediately follow. A graveside service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday at Glenwood Cemetery, 913 Grand Avenue SW, Fort Payne, AL 35967.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Gideons International or Whitesburg Baptist Church Missions.
