Gilbert Embry

Gilbert Embry, age 86 of Covington, KY passed away on Tuesday, December 23, 2014 at his home with the arms of caring family members around him after a fight with cancer. He was born July 5, 1928 to the late Lizzie Gilbert Embry and John Clint Embry into a very close knit family and community in Richmond, KY. His family included brothers, Alex(Snake), Champion and sisters, Anne, Elizabeth(Lib), Bessie(Mutt), Viola, and Mildred(Pig). At a young age he was given a nickname by his grandmother, Alice Gilbert and was thereafter known as "Neg" by close friends and family. He attended the segregated Richmond High School but was only able to complete the 5th grade because of the need to help support the family during the depression years. Gilbert was known as a hard and smart worker in most every sphere of life. In 1944 he began a long career as a Section Laborer with the L&N Railroad (now CSX) and retired in 1994 after 50 years of dedicated and diligent service.
He served in the US Army Air Forces at Fort Benning, GA and was honorably discharged with the World War II Victory Medal. In 1945 Gilbert married Jean Barnett in Richmond and they had 3 children, Richard, Marsha and Jimmy. In 1958 the family relocated to Covington where he continued his work at L&N's Decoursey Railroad Yards. In 1959 Gilbert along with his wife and children became charter members of the local chapter of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) which was largely responsible for dismantling the remaining vestiges of segregation and discrimination in Northern Kentucky's businesses, city parks, housing and schools. The Embry household also served as a stopping point for Freedom Riders going further South to participate in civil rights demonstrations. Even though Gilbert and Jean divorced in 1971, their extended family members remained very close to them.
From Gilbert's loving relationship with Lina Mundy of Richmond two children, Michael and John, were born. And from his loving relationship with Gwen Smith of Covington one daughter, VaShawna, was born. In 1975 he married Betty Smyser Forrey and was devoted to her until her death in 2008. When Betty had a stroke in 2002 and was placed in Rosedale Manor, Gilbert would visit her every day to assist in her care. Even after his wife's death, he still continued to visit the residents at Rosedale Manor and formed lasting friendships.
Besides work Gilbert enjoyed many activities including pitching horseshoes, playing cards, teaching sports to youth, reading the bible and a special fondness for feeding the birds in his backyard. Being generous with his time and money, he donated regularly to several charitable organizations such as: St. Judes, Cincinnati Childrens and Shriners Hospitals, Fairhaven Rescue Mission, Jehovah Witnesses, American Lung Cancer, Diabetes, and Heart Associations plus many more. The light of the Divine Spirit was manifest is his radiant smile, generosity and kindness to others.
In addition to his wife and parents he was preceded in death by his daughter Marsha and all of his sisters and brothers. Gilbert is survived by his daughter: Vashawna Embry Hughes of Cincinnati, OH; Sons: Richard Embry(Liz) of Wheaton, MD, Jim Embry of Richmond, KY, Michael Mundy(Jennifer) of Xenia, OH and John Mundy of California, a host of grandchildren and great grandchildren and numerous loving nieces, nephews and family members. He also leaves many devoted friends that include Gwen Smith, Andrew J. Reed, Myrtle Shepard and Lucille Tevis all of Cincinnati and a dear friend, Willie Joe Covington of Richmond. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 30, 2014 at Floral Hills Funeral Home in Taylor Mill, KY from 9 AM until the Celebration of Life honoring Gilbert Embry begins at 11 AM. An Honor Guard Service and Interment will follow at Floral Hills Memorial Gardens. The family requests that expressions of sympathy take the form of donations to your own or Gilbert Embry's favorite charities. Online Condolences may be expressed at www.floralhillsmemorialgardens.com.