Linda Shipley
in honor of Deanna.
Deanna Sue Gilbert
Birth date: May 30, 1939 Death date: May 9, 2020
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Deanna Sue Gilbert, 80, of Piney Flats, TN passed away peacefully Saturday, May 9, 2020, at her home with her family by her side.She was born May 30, 1939, in Elizabethton, TN to the late David and Nelda Boardwine Coffman.Deanna was a loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother.She was a graduate of E.T.S.U. having earned double Master’s Degrees in Music and Administration. She was the band director for Bluff City Middle School for over twenty-five years.Deanna was a member and choir director of Saint Paul United Methodist Church in Piney Flats.In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Richard G. Gilbert; brother, Bob Coffman.Those left to cherish her memory are her son, Richard A. Gilbert and wife, Meggin; grandsons, Richard Thomas Gilbert and Ezra Alexander Gilbert; nephew, David Coffman; several other family members and friends; special friends, Carolyn Nelms, Sue O’Dell and Patricia Bunch.A Celebration of Life Service will be conducted at 2:00 pm Saturday, May 23, 2020, at Saint Paul United Methodist Church, Piney Flats, TN with Pastor Brian Orchard officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the service.To leave an online condolence for the family please visit www.oakhillfh.comThe care of Deanna Sue Gilbert and her family has been entrusted to the staff of Oak Hill Funeral & Cremation Services.Read Obituary
Gary Rhymer
I am so sorry I missed mrs. Gilbert's passing. Deanna is the most influential person in my life. When I was struggling over the loss of our home because of my mother's misdiagnosis and financial troubles living with my uncle moving to the county feeling all alone I hid in the back of her Band Room during activity. And she discovered me hiding there at the end of eighth grade. Instead of lecturing me she directed me to a large cabinet pulled out the biggest horn I had ever seen it was called a tuba and she said to me the words that I will never forget 'I need You'. This is the kind of motivation that she gave others inspiration. I was so dedicated I wanted to please her I ended up making Allstate graduated from Sullivan East in 1979 and got a tuition tuba scholarship to ETSU. I continue to play and I'm now the principal tubist with the Greensboro Philharmonia. I only mention my accomplishments in that I owe it all to her. I reconnected with her a few years ago met her for lunch visited her church and was so happy to have my life come back around to be able to visit with her. She is one of the sweetest and kindest loving and giving people that I have ever met in my life. I sang in the choir in 9th grade that is the year that she lost her daughter and she left prematurely for a leave of absence. I missed her so bad music for me was not necessarily the same although Mr Pete Pino certainly helped in high school. Both of my high school band mentors are now gone from this Earth and I know that when I cross they will be standing there to meet me a tuba between them asking me if I'm ready for tryouts! All my love Deanna
Tara Smith
I had Mrs. Gilbert in band at Bluff City Middle in the late 80s and adored her. She was an amazing teacher and person. I am so sorry for your loss.
Claudette Webb
I hold in my heart many beautiful memories of Deanna and I during the wonderful years in school. We shared a love of music and enjoyed the band and the wonderful trips and experiences we had with all our classmates. Deanna was an inspiration to me and I love her dearly.
I send my prayers for the family.
Claudette Webb
Claudette Webb
Sent a Bright and Beautiful Spray to the Gilbert family.
Darlene Flick
Mrs. Gilbert was a wonderful teacher and mentor.
I learned a lot from her.
Rosalie Smith
Many wonderful memories with my childhood friend Deanna. She was special in so many ways. And always full of fun! She had a way of making us better. God's blessings on her family. Rosalie and Doug
Ed Daugherty
in honor of Deanna.
Sorry to hear of Deanna’s passing. I worked with her in the Sullivan County Teacher’s Association. I taught with Richard at Sullivan North. I was so proud of Deanna when she was president of the Tennessee Education Association. She was a great person. Your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Ed Daugherty
Lisa Holt
We share your sorrow at Deanna’s passing. She meant so much to our family! Our prayers are with you. From Van, Kenny, Lisa and our families.
Ruth Bowers
in honor of Deanna.
Deanna was a dear friend of ours during our school days at EHS. We were members of the Betsy Band and shared a mutual love for music. She and Richard were members of the Class of ‘57 and we shared many reunions and picnics with this group. We will be unable to attend, sympathy to the family. . My husband Fred and I will be unable to attend the service due to the pandemic. We will be praying for you.
Mary Ruth Hathaway Bowers EHS Class of ‘57
