Mary Lou Gilbert

Mary Lou Gilbert was born June 30, 1935 in Chicago, IL, the second of ten children born to John and Zelma Castleman Giddings. Mary Lou graduated from Saint Anne High School in 1952. She was a member of Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church and served faithfully on the usher board until her health failed. She was united in holy matrimony to Edward Pickens, to which two children were born to their union. She later wed Jinks Gilbert. Mary Lou began her employment as a nurse’s aide at Manteno State Hospital. Next she became a supervisor for the Permanenite Corporation manufacturing facility in Morocco, IN and later in St. Anne, IL. From there she moved into a supervisor position at the Nestle facility in Hopkins Park, IL, where she worked for over 25 years. Mary Lou will be remembered for her love and care for others. She enjoyed shopping, and watching the Chicago Bulls. She leaves to cherish her memory, one brother, George (Janice) Giddings of Kankakee, IL; one sister, Lorraine (Edward) Bowman of Flossmoor, IL; special grandson, Jason Pickens of Kankakee, IL, who she helped raise; step-daughters, Shirley Ross of Chicago, IL and Talina Edwards of Burnham, IL; step-sons, Marvin Gilbert and Maurice Gilbert, both of Chicago, IL and Melvin Gilbert of Calumet Park, IL; sisters-in-law, Ruby Giddings and Bernie Giddings, both of University Park, IL and Deborah Giddings of Minneapolis, MN; seven grandchildren, Tomele (LaQuesha) Staples of Aroma Park, IL, John Pickens Jr. of Saint Paul, MN, Jason (Brittany) Pickens of Kankakee, IL, Shawna (Michael) Colbert Eldridge of Chicago, IL, Iesha Pickens of Saint Paul, MN, David Crawford of Bloomington, IL and Nika Crawford of Atlanta, GA; 15 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; special friends, Helen Campbell Jackson of Peoria, IL, Delores McClendon of Flossmoor, IL and Ruth Jefferies of Memphis, TN; a great-niece, Eboni Calbert of Kankakee, IL and a great-great-nephew, Estabon Campbell of Kankakee, IL, and a host of other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands; brothers, Earl Giddings, John Giddings, Waymer Giddings and Herbert Giddings; and sisters, Sandra Ellison, Rosetta Cunningham and Laura Jean Giddings.

Tributes

Mary Lou Gilbert

June 30, 1935 - May 23, 2024