Janice "Jan" Helms Gilbert's Obituary
Janice "Jan" Helms Gilbert was born to Robert F. and Hazel Helms on October 28, 1945, in San Diego, California. She passed away peacefully on April 9, 2023, in Fayetteville, Arkansas, surrounded by her loved ones in her last days.
She spent her childhood years living in Gillham, Arkansas on the family farm. During her high school years, she was an excellent athlete and loved basketball. She also loved swimming in the Cossatot River with her three brothers and a sister.
She decided to pursue a career in Education. She received her teaching certificate from East Texas State University. She taught classes for gifted and talented students in the Arkansas Public Schools for thirty (30) years. After retiring, she became full time “Nana” for Ellie, Hunt, and Jack. Nothing made her happier than having Don by her side and attending their grandchildren’s sporting events and school performances.
Jan and her husband, Don Gilbert, were married for sixty-one (61) years. Jan and Don had three children, Cary, Kim & Mark. They raised their family in Hope. She loved painting, education, puzzles, and cooking – although there was a running family joke that she was not a gourmet cook.
She was a lifelong member of the Church of Christ.
Jan joins her parents, her brother Joe and sister Sherry in Heaven. She is survived by her husband, Don, two brothers Robert & Don Steven, her children, Cary, Kim (Reggie) and Mark (Courtney), and her grandchildren Ellie, Hunt, and Jack Gilbert, and Brett & Lauren Johnson.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider donating to Circle of Life Hospice in Springdale.
There will be a visitation at 1:00 p.m., with a celebration of life service at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, April 15, 2023, at Nelson-Berna Funeral Home in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
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