The Akins Funeral Home of Blue Ridge announces the death of Mr. Johnnie Ray Gilbert, Sr., age 73 of Epworth, GA who passed away Thursday, November 26, 2009 in the Fannin Regional Hospital in Blue Ridge, GA. Mr. Gilbert was born in Hamburg, Mississippi on August 1, 1936 to the late Johnny and Eva Delaney Gilbert. Mr. Gilbert was a truck driver. He was of the Baptist Faith. Mr. Gilbert served his country in the United States Air Force. He is survived by his wife, Josie Gilbert of Epworth, GA; son, Johnny Ray Gilbert, Jr. of Redan, GA; step-son Ray Allen of Epworth, GA; two step-daughters, Diane and husband Mitchell Ross of Mineral Bluff, GA and Carolyn Lowery of McCaysville, GA; two brothers, Charles Gilbert of Appling, GA and Bobby Gilbert of Homer, LA; sixteen grandchildren and twenty-six great grandchildren also survive. Funeral services will be conducted Monday, November 30, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. from Mount Zion (Tumbling Creek) with Rev. Gerald Payne, Rev. Harold Willis and Rev. John Newton officiating. Music will be by Stephanie Ensley, Haley Ensley, Briana Baxter, Ed Vest and the Deal Family. Pallbearers will be Dereck Gilbert, Greg Lowery, Anthony Lowery, C.J. Lowery, Jay Lowery, Joey Ensley, Timmy Ensley and Jimmy Lake. Honorary pallbearers will be Carlos Wilson, Dr. Frank Wood, Ray Allen, Lewis Lake and Johnny Mack Brown. Interment will follow in the Mountain View Cemetery with full military honors by the North Georgia Honor Guard. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Sunday evening from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.akinsfuneralhome.com. Akins Funeral Home of Blue Ridge is in charge of the arrangements. .