Gilbert Douglas, Sr.

Born on April 17, 1927 Departed on November 8, 2016 and resided in Goodlettsville, TN Visitation: Cole & Garrett Funeral Home, GoodlettsvilleThursday November 10, 2016 5:00pm to 8:00pmService at Five Points Fellowship: Friday November 11, 2016 11:00am to 12:00pm

Gilbert H. Douglas Sr., Goodlettsville, TN, entered this world on April 17, 1927 being the son of the late Jesse Mims and Minnie Hazel Felts Douglas.

Gilbert lived an amazing 89 years and left us on November 8, 2016 to go be with his lord and savior, surrounded by his loving family.

He is survived by his loving wife and soulmate of 69 years, Billie Dean; his four sons Gil Jr. (Linda), David (Debbie) Nathan (Joyce), and Tim (Jimmie); nine grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

Gilbert is preceded in death by his parents, seven brothers and one grandchild Gilbert Scott Douglas.

Born in 1927 in Cheatham County, Tennessee, Gilbert was one of eight boys, who at an early age learned the values and virtues of hard work. The boys worked long hard hours as a sharecropper's family, and up until a few months ago would drive himself to work, always helping others and displaying a work ethic that all could clearly see.

Gilbert lived a simple life and as a simple man, had an unwavering faith in God, and an unwavering love for his family. A man of great character and integrity, he was truly a great man and a shining example and a role model for his four sons and their families. "Paw Paw" was loved so much by all his boys and daughters-in law who he called daughters, and those grandchildren, from the oldest to the youngest.

Gilbert and family moved to Nashville when as a teenager, began a career in the printing industry that spanned seventy years. After serving in the Air Force during the Korean War, he returned to Nashville and met the love of his life, Billie Dean. They married in 1947, and now 69 years later, have woven together a real life love story so full of rich precious memories for those we will all be eternally grateful!

The last thirty years, Gilbert spent working with three of his sons as chairman and owner of Douglas Printing Co. His breadth of knowledge and spirit of cooperation and generosity has truly made a positive impact on the Nashville Printing industry, and he will be sorely missed.

A man of great faith, Gilbert has been an instrumental part of the traditional rich heritage of the East Nashville Free Will Baptist Church, having been a member for 65 years, an ordained deacon and Sunday school teacher. His work and leadership there came from the heart and his love for the Lord.

Gilbert was also a member of the Beech Masonic Lodge, and a member of the Nashville Al Meenah Temple. He enjoyed a good catfish dinner, playing golf with his boys and brothers, and spending time with his sweetheart watching the bluebirds, the deer and the cattle on his farm in Sumner County. Pawpaw's love of farming and raising cattle stayed with him from his days as a youth in Cheatham County.

Much of his family resides on that farm to this day, and the memories we all share from that place are priceless. Our thanks go out to him for providing for all of us for a long time, from the time he married that young sweetheart Billie and taking care of her, to this very day when every aspect of our lives, we can see and feel the touch of a real patriarch, a man whose love for us was unending.

A special thanks to Dr. James Cato, Dr. Marcy Abel, Dr. Ronald McFarland and Dr. Peter Sonkin, and to the wonderful staff and all those sweet nurses at St. Thomas Midtown and the Hearth Assisted Living, and lastly to the caring folks with Amedisys Hospice Care. All of these from the family, thank you for loving Pawpaw and giving your best to his care.

Visitation will be at Cole & Garrett Funeral Home, Goodlettsville Thursday November 10, 2016 from 5-8 pm. Visitation will be at Five Points Fellowship Church located at 210 South 10th Street in Nashville, TN, 37206 on Friday November 11, 2016 from 10 - 11 am with a celebration of life to follow at 11 am. Reverend David Weeks and Bro. Ken Riggs will be officiating. Family will serve as pallbearers and honorary pallbearers. Interment at Good Springs Cemetery in Pleasant View, TN will follow. For those desiring, donations may be made to Nathan and Jessica Shaw Douglas Benefit Account at Volunteer State Bank.