Mary Elizabeth Gilbreath

On July 6, 2022, Mary Elizabeth Gilbreath, beloved wife, mother, grandma, and Oma, died peacefully in her sleep. Mary was born August 25, 1921, in Birmingham, AL, to William Thomas and Martha Sue (Harris) Self. She was the sixth of their 10 children. Mary met the love her life, George Gilbreath, at age 17 when he took a shine to her as he delivered the newspaper to her home. They married on March 14, 1942. After her husband received his commission from the Army Air Corps in 1943, Mary and he spent the next 25 years in military life—moving with their growing family all over the world. Daughter “Terry” was born in June 1945 in Oklahoma; son “Danny” was born in 1952 in Mississippi, and youngest child Hugh was born in April 1955 while they were stationed in Wiesbaden, Germany. Mary and George settled into civilian life in 1968 when he accepted a position with the Civil Service at the Pentagon. Throughout their lives, both Mary and George pursued artistic and social interests together—painting, dancing, and enjoying family and friends. Mary was a stalwart matriarch, much beloved and admired by her family. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her brothers: Clarence, Bill, Boots, and Fred, and her sisters: Willie, Jessie K, Minky, and Flossie. She is survived by her brother Frank; her two sons: George Daniel, Jr. “Danny” (wife Julia) and Hugh William (wife Vanessa); her daughter: Theresa June “Terry” (husband Roger Schmidt); grandchildren: April T. Washburn, Kristopher C. Schmidt, Patrick O. Schmidt, William Daniel Gilbreath, and Alex N. Gilbreath; nine great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. Visitation will be held Monday, July 18 from 1-3 pm at Nelsen Funeral Home, 3785 Strawberry Plains Rd., Williamsburg, VA. Service will follow from 3-4 pm. Mary will be laid to rest with husband, George, at Arlington National Cemetery at a date to be determined. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mary’s name to the IETF (www.EssentialTremor.org) and the American Diabetes Association (www.diabetes.org).