Gerald Gilchrist

Wilford Gerald Gilchrist was born September 17, 1931 along with his twin brother Earl to William Roscoe Gilchrist and Amanda Milford Gilchrist in McNairy County, TN. Gerald passed from this life on April 23, 2016 at the Jackson Madison County Medical Center.
His early life was spent working the farm with his family. In the early 1950's, he went North looking for work and found it in St. Louis. He also found something far more precious that would define his life for the next sixty-four years. He found Joyce.
Gerald married Aleta Joyce Pearson on July 12, 1952 in Corinth, MS. Three daughters were born to Gerald and Joyce; Wanda, Marilyn, and Rhonda. He worked tirelessly to support his growing family for food distribution companies in St. Louis, MO, Harrisburg, IL, and Jackson TN.
Gerald was very successful as a salesman for Institutional Foods in Jackson, TN, but in his heart, he would always be a farmer. In 1969 he moved his family from Jackson, TN to the community of his origin, named for his ancestors: Gilchrist. A place on the map between Adamsville, Stantonville, and Selmer. It was there that he would spend the remaining days of his life doing the things that he loved and enjoyed. He farmed, he raised cattle, he quail hunted in the fall and winter and played dominoes in all seasons. Gerald supported and cheered as his three daughters played high school basketball. He loved the St. Louis Cardinals and any baseball game that he could watch. As his grandchildren came along, he and Joyce would travel to see their sporting events.
Gerald is survived by his beloved wife Joyce, and three daughters; Wanda Carothers and husband Jim, Marilyn Kildow and husband Pete, and Rhonda Henry and husband Wayne, grandchildren Wendy Wagoner, Celia Carothers, B. J. Sherron, Joy Langan, James Carothers, Ada Beth Majerus, Kalea Henry, Rob Henry and twelve great-grandchildren.
Surviving siblings are Bill Gilchrist and wife Frances, Joe Gilchrist and wife Mary Dell, Linda Sue Moore and husband Kenneth, Martha Dudley and husband Karl, and Shirley Bruce, along with a host of nieces, nephews, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Roscoe and Mandy Gilchrist and his twin brother, Milford Earl Gilchrist and his wife Johnnie.
Gerald Gilchrist was a long time member at the Adamsville Church of Christ where he served as a Deacon for many years. He served and loved his family, his friends and neighbors, and most of all he served God with all his heart and soul.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.