Cheryl Gay Gilbert

Cheryl Gay Gilbert, 76, entered the Savior’s merciful embrace April 22,2022, at Harbor House Hospice in Beaumont, TX.

She was born on October 2, 1945, to Mary Elizabeth Rogers-Luehrs and Carleton Jasper Luehrs in Cleveland, OH. Cheryl graduated from Glendale High School in 1963. While in high school, she served as a member of the student council, pep squad, and the varsity cheerleading squad. She was selected as a member of the homecoming court by her peers on multiple occasions.

Following graduation, she married her high school sweetheart Steve Dean Gilbert in 1964. 

For a brief time, she was employed by Valley National Bank in Phoenix, AZ. Cheryl eventually left the financial industry to dedicate her time and energy to raising a family in Phoenix, and after a move, subsequently, Tucson, AZ.

While living in Tucson, she was a devout follower of Christ. She attended Palo Verde Church of Christ, eventually forming close, lifelong bonds with many in the congregation who remain “family” to this day.

In 1984, Cheryl and family moved to Beaumont, TX. While in Beaumont, she worked for a few years at the Kitchen Shop. Eventually she joined the sales staff at Dillard’s, working at the Estée Lauder counter until recurrent Breast cancer forced her permanent retirement in 2019. While working at Dillard’s, she quickly became one the highest producing Estée Lauder Product Specialists in the entire nation and was a member of the Dillard’s President’s Club for decades as recognition for outstanding sales.

While in Beaumont, she was a devoted attendee of worship and fellowship at Westgate Church of Christ, and subsequently, Meadows Church of Christ.

She will be forever remembered as a woman of God, a nurturing and loving mother, and as a doting grandmother.  Cheryl GENUINELY loved people, enriching the lives of those she encountered in both small and large ways alike. That she would strike up a spontaneous conversation with anyone, anywhere, at any time is certainly not a surprise to anyone who knew her well. If phones exist in heaven, she is sure to be on one speaking to someone now.

Cheryl loved Christmas, and anything Christmas-related! She single-handedly increased the market capitalization of Starbucks by millions. She was a passionate shopper and had a propensity to focus on “just looking” at items only a billionaire could afford! And, tortilla chips were her nemesis!!

Cheryl is loved by many and will be missed.

Survivors include her son, Steven Gilbert from Dallas; daughter, Shelley Gilbert-Harlan of Beaumont; her grandchildren, Megan Harlan, Jackson Harlan, and Matthew Harlan; brother, Robert (Bob) Luehrs from Bend, OR; and sisters, Terri Pezzi from Orlando, FL and Mary Smith, from Tucson, AZ.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Carlton Jasper Luehrs and Mary Elizabeth Rogers-Luehrs.

Mr. Steve Gilbert died on December 15, 2020. Due to Covid restrictions at the time a service was not able to be held, so there will be a service for Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert together.

The memorial services for Mr. Steve Gilbert and Mrs. Cheryl Gilbert will be held at 4:00 p.m., Saturday, April 30, 2022, at Meadows Church of Christ, 9195 Dishman Road, Beaumont.

Cremation arrangements are through Broussard’s Crematorium under the direction of Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont.

We wish to extend a special thank you from the Gilbert and Harlan families to all of the friends, physicians, nurses, and other health care workers who have maintained friendships and helped provide care to Cheryl over the many years of her illness, particularly Dr. Melani at Texas Oncology in Beaumont, TX and Dr. Booser, at M.D. Anderson in Houston, TX. While words insufficiently express our thanks, we are indebted to each of you for all of your assistance, compassion, and dedicated care.

Donations may be directed to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation on Cheryl’s behalf at https://www.bcrf.org/.