Obituaries

A Grand Home Going Celebration for Reverend Joe Wilbert, Jr.

” Our Patriarch”

Reverend Joe Wilbert Jr. was born September 24, 1940 to Joe Wilbert Sr. & Cora Mae Woods on September 24, 1940 in Brazos County Steele Store Community. He was the third child of four children to their union. Joe Wilbert became affectionately known to the family as “Joe Friday”. 

He accepted Christ at an early age and was a faithful member of Greater Salem Missionary Baptist Church where he was under the pastorship of Reverend E.E. Garvin and later Reverend M.D. Morgan. He served in the capacity as the church deacon. He continued to be a member of Greater Salem Missionary Baptist Church until he was called to become the pastor of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church in February 2009. He faithfully served as their shepherd until his death. 

He began his educational endeavors at Mumford School. Although he valued education, he was not able to complete his education because he quit school to help support his mother and siblings. 

On October 25, 1965, Joe Wilbert Jr. and Alice Marie Hunter were united in holy matrimony at Salem Baptist Church by Reverend S. L. Morris Sr. in the Steel Store Community. To this union they had four children. 

Joe was employed by Hacko Precast where he drove trucks for several years until his retirement. Reverend Wilbert was an awesome truck driver and a natural GPS. He could guide a person to any destination. His kids often joked with him that he should have invented the Global Positioning System. He also worked for Daniel and Son Funeral Home for close to  60 years. He often spoke of Mr. W.C. Daniel and how he trained him to be the best undertaker. Joe had the privilege of working with Inez Daniel, Kenny Robinson and ultimately Mrs. Betty Robinson. He considered Daniel/Robinson as his family and raised his family to love and respect them as well. Mr. Wilbert continued to work for Daniel and Son until his decline in health. 

Reverend Joe Wilbert is known for his annual birthday parties he had for 10 years. His family and friends would travel from all over the state to celebrate his birthday. After God called him to preach, he decided to stop having them. Reverend Wilbert became a God fearing man. He definitely became a new creature. He preached the word to his family and friends and lived his life accordingly. He was a man of strong character and knew where he wanted to spend his eternity. 

He believed strongly in the institution of family. He loved and cared for his family by any means necessary. He believed that a family that prays together would stay together. He modeled how to be a survivor and wanted more for his children. He had an eighth grade education because he dropped out of school to help his mother and siblings when his dad died. So, he vowed that his children would have an opportunity to finish school and go on to obtain a college degree. He witnessed all of his children receive their respective degrees, and his grandkids as well. His motto was “Hold on just a little while longer and everything will be alrighť. He would encourage anyone that he met to have faith. In fact, Reverend Joe Wilbert Jr. never met a stranger. When anyone went to visit him, he would make sure he had plenty of food and drinks to offer. He also loved to BBQ. He was glad when his son Milton took over the task of grilling for the family events. He also loved spending time at the last place he visited before his demise. Shannon’s Cafe, playing dominoes with his preacher buddies, traveling to basketball games to support his grandsons, spending time everyday visiting his wife until her death, spending time at Milton in the man cave, traveling to Houston for fine dining with Brenda, and cookouts at Shawn. 

He just enjoyed life to the fullest. His children will definitely have a void in their lives as they begin their new normal. 

Reverend Joe Wilbert Jr. loved being a grandfather just as much as he loved being a father. He shared a bond with all of his grandchildren. He affectionately gave some of them nicknames so he could remember who was who. May God provide them with comfort as they move forward without his presence. 

The legacy of Reverend Joe Wilbert Jr. will continue to live on through his children and their children. God will always get the glory for allowing him to be clothed in his right man til the end. He shared so many memories with his family, friends, and loved ones. He praised God until he was called home. During his last bout with his illness, he expressed he was happy and that if God came right now, he was ready. He stated that he loves his family and everybody constantly while on his bed of affliction. He not only taught his children how to live, but he has shown them how to die in the Lord. 

Reverend Joe Wilbert Jr. was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 57 years Alice Marie Wilbert, parents; Joe Wilbertr Sr, Cora Mae Woods sisters; Mozella Eldrige and Classie Davenport, brother; George Wilbert Sr., daughter; Carolyn Adams, grandson; Kendrick Wesley, great-great grandchildren; Levi Williams, Peyton Labome, Eric Labome Jr., Niece; Hattie Lee Burleson. 

He leaves to cherish his precious memories, Children; Milton Wilbert (Daisy) of Bryan, Texas, Dr. Linda Wilbert-Emesih of Bryan, Texas, Brenda Wilbert-Caldwell of Spring, Texas, Joe Wilbert III (Shaylon) of Houston, Texas, Shawn Hancock (Cicely) of Brenham, Texas, George Adams of College Station, Texas, and George Wilbert Jr. (Candy) of Manor, Texas. Special daughter Shanae Ford Wilbert, Grandchildren; Terence Wilbert ( Kiley), Devon Wilbert, Ashley Weaver, Adonna Weaver (Red), Telia Joseph (Norris), Alicia Young, Bria Young-Wyatt (Fat Face) (Xavier), Patience Tally (High-Step), Deysta Bradsher, Regiene Caldwell (Black girl), Reginald Caldwell (Juicy), Romello Wilbert, Jacob and Joseph Wilbert, Quanisha Adams, Shawndrell Moore, Tamara Hancock, and Jalaya Hancock. Great grandchildren: Antoine Henderson (Antone), Quevon Jackson (Que), Alaina Joseph, Messiah Stephens, George Ward, Pax Labome, England Bircher, Emanii McGee, Rytearrius Adams, Ciara Adams, Richlyn Adams, Kyeana Wesley, Kendrick Wesley Jr., Monea Jackson, Eziah Mitchell, and JaMarcus Smith. Niece: Bobbie Marshall; Precious inlaws; Bobbie Jones, Linda Robertson, Bennie Hunter, Freddie Hunter, Ernest Hunter, Jeffrey Hunter, and Peter Hunter Jr. God daughter: Deconda Neblett Stafford Special Family:: Betty Robinson, Terence Robinson and the staff of Daniel and Son Funeral Home, Special Friends: Tommy Shannon, Josephine Garrett, Reverend John Lott, Reverend Prentis Garrett, Reverend Craig Anderson, Reverend Robert Jones, Curtis Dickey, and Deacon Ronnie Adams. Marvin Gibbs, Ray Taylor, Jennifer Johnson, and Flo Workman 

He leaves to cherish his memories, a host of nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly and a host of other family and friends. To God be the glory! 

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday June 24, 2023 2:30P.M. at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church located at 310 Martin Luther King, Jr Street, Bryan, Texas 77803

Visitation Services will be held on Friday June 23, 2023 from 11:00A.M until 6:00P.M. The Wake will be held from 6:00P.M. until 7:00P.M at Daniel & Son Funeral Home located at 401 W 18th Street Bryan, Texas 77803