Born on April 13, 1934, in the charming little town of Harperville, Mississippi, Nan Gilbert grew up surrounded by wide open fields, family, and faith. As the sixth of seven children—five older brothers to keep her on her toes and one younger sister to keep her company, Nan learned early on the joys of hard work and the value of togetherness.

Nan’s childhood was spent on her family’s farm, where her parents, Benjamin and Lola, raised a variety of crops and a few livestock. Life on the farm wasn’t always easy, but Nan remembers it fondly, especially the sweet summer days spent swimming and fishing with her siblings, making the most of every moment in the great outdoors.

A proud graduate of Harperville High School, Nan showed her competitive spirit on the basketball court and dabbled in softball as well. But her heart was set on caring for others, which led her to the Gilfoy School of Nursing in Jackson. After earning her nursing degree and becoming a Registered Nurse, she began her career at a Baptist Hospital, where fate introduced her to a kind-hearted physical therapist named J.T. The pair got along quite well, and before long, the two were married.

Nan and J.T. built a beautiful life together and raised three wonderful daughters—Gail (Webb), Mona (Steve), and Debbie (Danny). Nan calls them her greatest accomplishments, and she beams with pride when talking about the strong, compassionate women they’ve become. Putting her career on hold to raise her girls, Nan devoted herself fully to her family. Once her daughters were grown, she returned to nursing, this time providing care and comfort as a home health nurse until her retirement.

These days, Nan is the proud matriarch of a growing family that includes six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Whether it’s sharing stories from her farm days, offering a listening ear, or simply enjoying the laughter of little ones around her, Nan’s life continues to be rich in love and purpose.

From Harperville fields to hospital halls, and now to a well-earned retirement, Nan is a shining example of a life well lived. These days, one can find her at Legacy Village of Cleveland enjoying church services, playing dominoes with friends, and watching her favorite television shows. We are blessed to know her here at Legacy!