Joyce Barnes Gilbert, 85, went to her eternal home on January 1, 2024.  She was a kind, caring woman who dearly loved her family and friends. She was a devoted Christian who loved her Lord, Jesus Christ. She was born on August 13, 1938, in Harlan, Kentucky, and lived in Sweetwater, Tennessee, for the past 30 years.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Charles Gilbert; her parents, Arthur and Merthell Barnes; two grandchildren, Chad Huskey and Amber Smoak; and two sisters and brothers-in-law, Evelyn and Kelly Martin and Polly and Glenn Guthrie.

She is survived by her three children, Lisa Thurmond and husband, Ron, of Monroe, North Carolina, Suzie Graves and husband, Jamie, of Etowah, Tennessee, and Chuck Gilbert and fiancé, Nora, of Philadelphia, Tennessee; five grandchildren, Christopher Thurmond, Angela Thurmond, Chase Gilbert, Cole Gilbert, and Randy Collins; a precious great-granddaughter, Jocelyn Gilbert; a sister, Barbara Napier and husband, Bobby; two special nieces, Lynda Lloyd and Debbie Padgett; two daughters of her heart, Von Steele and Kellie Middleton; and a host of loving friends, neighbors, and family members.

Visitation will be held Friday, January 5, 2024, at 1:00 pm at Evarts Funeral Home. A graveside service will begin at 2:00 pm at Evarts Memorial Gardens with Bobby Napier officiating.

Evarts Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Joyce Barnes Gilbert.