Evelyn T. Gilbert

Evelyn Theresa Curry Gilbert was born on May 14, 1931. She was the sixth surviving child of seven children born to Lorean Moore and James E. Curry, Sr. She departed this temporal life peacefully in preference to life eternal January 24, 2017.

Evelyn was educated in the Pittsburgh Public School System having attended Fineview Elementary, Latimer Junior High School, and graduating in the Class of 1949 from Allegheny High School on the North Side. Being a firm believer that education was key to advancement and security, she continued her education at the University of Pittsburgh graduating in 1979 with a Bachelor of Arts degree, followed by completing the curriculum for Assistant to the Primary Care Physician Program at Community College of Allegheny County in 1983. She received her Pa Certification by the National Commission and was licensed by the State of Pennsylvania.

Evelyn began working at an early age but found professional direction in health care. She attained certification as a registered Histology Technician and Cytology Technician prior to receiving her PA Certification. Her employers included the City of Pittsburgh Parks and Recreation Department, Allegheny General Hospital, Presbyterian Hospital, Primary Care Services (Alma Illery Health Clinic) among others ,and her career concluded with her retirement in 1997 from Women's Health Services. Evelyn did all these activities while raising her only child, a daughter, and being a supporter and mentor to nieces, nephews, cousins and any students in various educational settings.

She received numerous awards for her dedication to her final profession; among them being the Pennsylvania Society of Physicians' Assistants Humanitarian Physician Assistant of the Year Award in 1995 and Southwestern PA Area Health Education Center, Inc.'s Outstanding and Dedicated Service to the Teaching of Health Professional Students Award. Evelyn also believed in community service having served on the Board of Just Harvest, Inc.

In 1967, she was united in Holy Matrimony to Whittner H. Gilbert at Metropolitan Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend Obadiah Simms. They were married for 42 years at the time of his passing.

Evelyn accepted Christ and was baptized at an early age at Metropolitan Baptist Church in the 1940s. She joined Mount Ararat Baptist Church under the leadership of the Reverend Dr. William H. Curtis in 2001. At Mount Ararat she enjoyed the fellowship and serving with the Missionaries and was a part of the initial formation and community of the Health and Wellness Ministry until her health began to decline. 

Evelyn's recreational pursuits were many and included yearly travel with family and friends, reading the newspaper daily, watching sports, doing crossword puzzles and attending cultural events.

Evelyn was preceded in death by her husband, Whittner; parents, Lorean and James Curry; three siblings: James Jr., Sterling and Eugene Curry. She leaves to mourn her memory her daughter, Lorean SImmons; two sisters: Bernice Curry Brady abd Zenobia Long; one brother, Tyrone; and sister-in-law, Charlotte Thompson Curry. Also, missing her presence are nieces, nephews, cousins, great and great-great nieces and nephews ,cousins, other relatives, friends and neighbors.