Lolla Gilbert

Lolla Bagby Gilbert, 89, of Cape Girardeau died at 10:16 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2006, at the Lutheran Home.

She was born Oct. 6, 1916, in Cape Girardeau, daughter of Boca Homa Owley and Charles Monroe Gilbert.

Miss Gilbert graduated from Southeast Missouri State Teachers College in 1939. Soon after graduation, she taught business classes at Patton, Mo.

In 1940, she moved to Washington, D.C., where she held positions with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Department of Justice, and the Veterans Administration.

Miss Gilbert returned to Cape Girardeau in 1945 to help care for her aged parents, and taught business classes in schools at Risco and Illmo. Mo. In 1951, she became secretary of the Selective Service Board in Cape Girardeau. She retired from that position in 1974.

She enjoyed studying the Bible, and was a graduate of Washington Bible Institute in Washington, D.C.

Gifted in music, Miss Gilbert played piano, xylophone, accordion and bells. She played piano in her brother's band and at First Christian Church, where she taught Sunday school. She was a member of Cape Girardeau Senior Citizens.

Survivors include four nephews Gary K. "Sonny" Gilbert and Paul V. Gilbert, both of Cape Girardeau, John M. Gilbert of Jefferson City, Mo., and Donald C. Gilbert of Nevada, Texas; and six nieces, Betty R. Litzelfelner of Granbury, Texas, Judith R. Gilbert, Sarah L. Froemsdorf and Jan Ramey, all of Cape Girardeau, Monica J. Metzger of Jackson, and Barbara Stone of San Francisco, Calif.

She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Kelvin A. Gilbert, C. Wooten Gilbert and Homer M. Gilbert; and a nephew, Homer F. Gilbert.

Visitation will be at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m.

The funeral will be held at the funeral home Saturday at 3 p.m., with family members John M. Gilbert, John K. Ramey and Ty Metzger officiating. Interment will be in Cape County Memorial Park.

Pallbearers will be Gary Gilbert, Joe Armistead, David Baughman, Heath Darrow, Marty Vines, John H. Ramey and Tye DeCramer.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Homer Gilbert Scholarship Fund at Southeast Missouri State University.