Veleta Ann Gilbert passed away at the age of 79 on Monday, March 30, 2026, in McKinney, Texas. She was born to Weldon and Bonnie (White) Preston on February 3, 1947, in Blue Ridge, Texas. Veleta and William “Buddy” Gilbert got married on June 3, 1967, in Bells, Texas and were married for over 50 years. She devoted 20+ years to serving the county as a Deputy County Clerk with Collin County.
She leaves behind her three children: Kimberly Lauffer- her husband Butch, Jarrod Gilbert- his wife Shelly, and Amy Prater- her husband Jason, her five grandchildren: Kendall and Kyle Lauffer, Charles and Aubrey Gilbert, and Rebecca Smith, along with her multiple nieces, nephews, and cousins, and her lifelong friend of 70+ years, Martha Guin.
Veleta was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Buddy Gilbert, parents, Weldon and Bonnie Preston, and her sister, Linda Sue Bailey.