Harbert "Stan" Stanley Gilbert

A Memorial Service for Harbert Stanley “Stan” Gilbert of Mathiston will be held at 11:00AM on Saturday, February 11, 2023 at Spring Valley Cemetery. Rev. Chris Prather will officiate. Stan, 68, passed away Thursday, February 2, 2023 at North Mississippi Medical Center in Eupora, MS. He was born in Philadelphia, MS to Harbert L. Gilbert and Ethel Pearson Gilbert on July 3, 1954. He was a retired teacher of special needs students and a member of the Orchard of Starkville, MS. He is survived by his wife of 44 years; Gean Gilbert of Mathiston, MS and a son; Gavin Gilbert of Starkville, MS and hosts of nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters; Khnoy Turner and Dupree Adcock. Stan graduated from Neshoba Central High School in 1972. He was a 1974 graduate of East Central Junior College where he met several lifelong friends. Next, Stan studied special education and Mississippi State University and graduated in 1976. While there he attended many sporting events including the opening basketball game in Humphrey Coliseum where State played Indiana State with the then little known player Larry Bird. In future years he would continue to support his beloved Bulldogs, a passion he would lovingly pass on to his son. Stan was known as a phenomenal special education teacher. He taught every age and most levels of this subject at a variety of schools. His students knew that they were not only taught but also loved. His love of sports wasn’t limited to colleges either. He was present and actively cheering at junior and high school games where his wife taught. His flip book of stats was well known to the girl’s basketball teams at Greenwood High of the mid to late 1980’s. This amateur stat keeping inspired his son to learn to keep stats himself. His razor sharp wit and outlook on education helped many new teachers adjust to the educational system. After retiring from the classroom he continued helping improve education for special needs students by working with student interns from Mississippi State. He delighted in helping his interns find jobs and remained in touch with many of them. The family asks that memorial contributions be made to ACCESS of Mississippi State University which helps serve special needs students. (ACCESS PO Box 806 Mississippi State, MS 39762) Oliver Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.