Elnora “Nory” Eunice Gilbert
Elnora “Nory” Eunice Gilbert, 99, of Siloam Springs, Arkansas, passed away on January 7, 2017. Born March 30, 1917, in rural Gravette, Arkansas, the daughter of Jewette Kincaid and Dora (Menke) Kincaid, she spent her childhood raised by hardworking, faithful parents and playing with her treasured younger brother, Ted. She loved singing in church. As a young girl she beat Scarlet Fever and proved herself to be the quiet determined soul so many were fortunate to know.
After graduating from Jay High School in Jay, Oklahoma, she took the unique opportunity afforded to her to pursue higher education. Nory graduated from John Brown University with a Bachelors of Science in Business.
While at JBU, Nory caught the eye of Galen O. Gilbert and became the recipient of nightly coke floats delivered to her dorm from the downtown pharmacy. Nory and Galen married on August 24, 1940, in the home of Dr. Earl Smith. Their marriage lasted 76 years. They started their careers as interim pastors of a little Methodist church in Iowa. During World War II, they were brought to the RAF training facility in Terrell, Texas, where Galen taught navigation to the British soldiers. After the war, they helped JBU expand their broadcasting efforts in California. Later, together, they bought radio stations of their own throughout Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas. Nory was very involved in the many businesses at hand and did the accounting for most of the radio stations throughout the decades.
Both of Nory’s children were born in Siloam Springs; Galen Everett on November 15, 1942, and Jesse Ray on December 9, 1946. She poured every ounce of dedication and joy she had into their upbringing. The love she showed her children is evidenced in the longstanding admiration still professed by childhood friends of her sons.
She was the primary caretaker for her father as his life came to a close. And in 1966, she lost her firstborn son, Galen, at the age of 23 in a test flight for the Navy.
Nory’s younger son Jesse and wife Susi had four children. Being a grandmother became her favorite role yet. She spoiled her grandchildren with abandon and lived to see three of her grandchildren marry. For the last two years she savored every moment lavishing love onto her first born greatgrandchild, Lorraine. Another marriage and more great-grandchildren who will benefit from her legacy are slated for 2017.
Above all, Nory was a consistent, patient, and cheerful woman who portrayed the love of Christ to her family.
Nory was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Ted Kincaid; and son, Galen Everett Gilbert.
She is survived by her husband, Galen, of the home; son, Jesse Gilbert and wife Susan of Siloam Springs, Arkansas; four grandchildren, Holly Romero and husband Peter Romero of Richardson, Texas, Galen Howard Gilbert and wife Natisha Gilbert of Los Angeles, California, David Gilbert and wife, Cate Gilbert of Houston, Texas, Emily Gilbert of Santa Monica, California; one great-grandchild, Lorraine Romero; sister-in-law, Jo Kincaid of Siloam Springs, Arkansas; and many devoted nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, January 11, 2017, at First United Methodist Church, Siloam Springs, Arkansas. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to John Brown Scholarship Fund, Siloam Springs, Arkansas.
PAID OBITUARY