Karen East Gilbert

Karen East Gilbert, age 80, passed away on December 16, 2021, surrounded by family.  She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Rodney Carson Gilbert, and children Leigh Anne Hodge (Jeff); Leslie Carol Dove (Ty); Rodney Bradley Gilbert; Paul David Gilbert (Lee Anne); and Stephanie Simone Gilbert (Chris Phillips).  She also is survived by sixteen grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her grandson, Ingram “Gram” Harrison Gilbert, who held a very special place in her heart.  A graveside memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. at Harpeth Hills Memory Gardens in Nashville, Tennessee, on Thursday, December 23, 2021, with visitation the same day from 12:45 – 1:45 p.m.  A Celebration of Life service will be held for friends and family at noon on January 13, 2022 at Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church in Vestavia Hills, Alabama, with visitation the same day from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.  Karen was a gifted quilter and shared her love and joy of quilting through gifts of quilts to family and friends. She had a unique talent for combining vibrant colors and patterns of fabric to create beautiful works of art.  She was a member of Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church and a previous member of Belle Meade United Methodist Church in Nashville, Tennessee.  The family extends special gratitude to Karen’s medical team, including Dr. C. Calvert Dodson III, and Dr. John Riser; her devoted caregivers, including Minnie Smith, Cassandra Jackson, Ida Austin, Donna Carroll and others; and to Hope Hospice.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to one of the following: Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt Music Therapy Program, a much needed program that brings music (and the associated joy, love and laughter) to hospitalized children; Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church; or High Hopes Development Center in Franklin, Tennessee, a non-profit organization that provides an inclusive early education experience for special needs children alongside their typically developing friends. HARPETH HILLS MEMORY GARDENS AND FUNERAL HOME, (615)646-9292.