Howard Roland Gilbert, age 80 of Chipley, Florida, passed away Wednesday, April 2, 2014 in Atlanta. Howard was born May 7, 1933 in Chipley to the late Homer and Mary Belle (Miller) Gilbert. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran, a retired airline pilot for Eastern Airlines and a deacon and former Chairman of Ushers at First Baptist Church in Chipley. In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by: his wife, Sue Gilbert: and a son, Howard Roland Gilbert Jr., one brother, Hubert Donald Gilbert and one sister, Mary Francis Norton. Survivors include: two sons, Jeffery Gilbert and wife Teresa of Dahlonega, Georgia, John Gilbert and wife Angie of Valdosta, Georgia; three daughters, Sherril Gilbert of Chipley, Cynthia Green and husband Mark of Avondale, Georgia and Valerie Hedges of Peachtree City, Georgia; grandchildren, T. Brian Green, Nathan Mark Green, Ashley Sue Hedges, Lena Suzanne Camp, John Dayton Hedges, Jessica Lauren Camp, Hayden David Gilbert, Ethan Michael Gilbert and Abigail SueAnn Gilbert; one great grandson, Nathan Hawken Green. The family will receive friends from 10 to 11 A.M. Saturday, April 5, 2014 at First Baptist Church in Chipley. Funeral services will follow at 11:00 A.M. with Rev. Michael Orr officiating. Graveside services will follow at Oakie Ridge Baptist Church Cemetery, near Chipley, with the Rev. Mark Green officiating.