Obituary

Charles Rubin McGilberry was born on September 2, 1943, in Bassfield, Mississippi to Lucille Thompson McGilberry and Shelby McGilberry. He departed this life on Sunday morning, March 6, 2022. He was a member of Sweetwater CME Church.

Charles was a 1963 graduate of Carver High School, in Bassfield, Ms. He attended Southern University in New Orleans, La. Charles married his childhood sweetheart, Elizabeth Dedeaux in 1966. To this union, three wonderful children were born.

Charles was employed by the City of New Orleans for several years. He also served as Director of the Physical Plant Department at Delgado Community College. Charles was a member of several political organizations, including SOUL, PRIDE and ROOTS, and actively participated in the political process. He worked hard to bring about a better political relationship among the people in his community and instilled an appreciation for the political process and the importance of active political engagement in his children. For several years, Charles successfully started and ran his own business.

While Charles spent many years in New Orleans, where he and his wife raised their children, returning home in retirement was always the plan. After seeing his children successfully launched to adulthood, he and his wife returned to Bassfield. Affectionately known as ‘Toe’, ‘Mac’, ‘Charlie Mac’, ‘Uncle Mac’ and just dad, Charles was always an outdoorsman and loved his life in the country. He also loved jazz music and sports but spending time with family was his favorite past time.

Charles is survived by his wife of 55 years, Elizabeth McGilberry, one son, Derek Charles McGilberry, two daughters, Tasha Felton (Mack), and Kimberly McGilberry, four grandchildren, Iman McGilberry, Rodney McGilberry, Rachel Felton, and Jasmine Felton, three brothers-in-law, Lester J. Smith, Carol W. Oatis (Bobbie), Harold W. Oatis, and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and devoted friends.