of Pleasant Plains, AR

April 12, 1946 - December 3, 2025

Doyle James ''Chief'' Gilbert, lovingly known as Pa to his grandson, was born April 12, 1946, in his family home on Wish Street in Pleasant Plains, Arkansas. He passed away on December 3, 2025, at Unity Health Medical Center in Searcy at the age of 79.

Doyle was the son of Golden and Josephine Blankenship Gilbert. He was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Lora Pretty-Gilbert; and all of his siblings - Inez MacDougall, Roland Gilbert, Noel Gilbert, Dane Gilbert, and Nuel Gilbert.

Throughout his life, Doyle worked in many trades, including Meacham's Packing as a butcher, Clayton Homes building mobile homes, and earlier factory work. In later years, he enjoyed tinkering in his wood shop, fixing what needed fixing, and rebuilding projects just to do them again. He built the home he lived in during the 1950s and remained there all his life.

Doyle loved simple things - fishing, gardening, storytelling, showing his little magic tricks, and making people laugh with his quirky view of the world. He was stubborn, generous, strong-willed, and rich in common sense.

He is survived by his grandson, Lucas Burnett, who he helped raise and who carries many of Doyle's lessons forward, and by his partner, Carolyn Grady.

Doyle was saved and remained connected to Union Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Pleasant Plains.

Visitation will be held at 1:00 p.m. on December 12, 2025, at Union Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Pleasant Plains, with burial at 2:00 p.m. at Union Grove Cemetery. Services will be officiated by Randall Gilbert.

The family wishes to thank the Unity Health staff for their exceptional care, Union Grove Missionary Baptist Church for hosting the service, Kendall Staggs for honoring Doyle's wish to rest beside his daughter, Lora Pretty-Gilbert, and Eric Hodges for caring for the arrangements with dignity.

If Heaven is what he hoped for, Doyle is sitting with his daughter, sharing fried catfish and a cold Pepsi - and if Heaven has neon, that's where he'll be.

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-Alcoa Funeral Home
6700 Alcoa Road
Benton, AR  72019
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com