Sandra Nan (Bishop) Gilbert of Leonard, Texas went to be with the Lord on October 12, 2023 at the age of 84. She was born on March 29, 1939 to Lawrence Ray Bishop and Julia Edna (Moon) Bishop in Ben Franklin, Texas. She was the eldest child of five, with four younger brothers, Teddy, Joe Rex, Gary, and Damon.
She grew up in Ben Franklin and McKinney, attending McKinney High School. She was a talented seamstress, working for many years for Haggar Corporation making mens slacks. She also assisted her husband in running various businesses throughout the years including a successful and sought-out business selling hand-built porch swings, adirondack chairs, and other wooden furniture at Trade Days in the region. She wore many hats throughout the years, but her greatest skill and favorite role was helping to care for her grandchildren as they were being raised.
Sandra was married on September 26, 1955 to the love of her life, Bobby Jack Gilbert. They were married for 48 years before his death in 2003. She is survived by their two loving children, 4 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren: daughter - Belinda Horton of Leonard; son - Gayland Gilbert and his wife Kelly of Leonard; granddaughter - Jodee Whitehouse of Leonard and her children, Mackenzie, Reagan, and Jackson; granddaughter - Julie Chohan and her husband, Riaz, of Bryan, TX and their children Elias, Sebastian, and Isaac; grandson Max Gilbert and his wife Elizabeth of Prosper, TX and their children Lily and Felicity; and grandson Justin Horton and his wife Amanda of Leonard and their children, Maddyson and McKinlee.
She is also survived by her two brothers, Teddy Bishop and Damon Bishop, 5 loving sisters-in-law Alicia Bishop, Vicki Bishop, Brenda Bishop-Staples, Cathy Gilbert, and Shirley Gilbert, and brother-in-law Billy Gilbert. She is preceded in death by her husband, parents, her two brothers: Gary Bishop and Joe Rex Bishop, her two brothers-in-law: Joe Gilbert and Tony Gilbert, and one loving sister-in-law: Nora Bishop. She had a large and close extended family with many nieces and nephews whom she loved deeply as their Aunt Sandra.
She was a wonderful cook, incredible storyteller, and never met a stranger. Her faith was steady and deep and she will be remembered for her generosity, hospitality, and fierce love for her family.
A visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, from 6pm to 8pm at Turrentine Jackson Morrow Funeral Home in Leonard, 701 North Cedar Street, Leonard, Texas 75452. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, October 19, 2023 at 10 am at First Baptist Church of Leonard, 100 E Thomas St, Leonard, Texas 75452. Interment will follow at Leonard Cemetery.
Pallbearers for the service will be Anthony Gilbert, Victor Bishop, Josh Bishop, Justin Horton, Max Gilbert, Danny Bishop.