Mary Kaleel Gilbreath

Mary Kaleel Gilbreath went to be with the Lord on Sunday, March 29, 2009 at The Palms at Park Place in Kissimmee.

Mrs. Gilbreath was born January 10, 1920 in Jacksonville, Florida. She was married on February 2, 1940 and moved to Lake Wales in August of 1945. She was a devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and was loved by all her family. Mrs. Gilbreath was a lead cashier and cashier trainer of Publix Super Markets in Lake Wales for 6 years in the 1940's. She and her husband, Jimmy Gilbreath assisted in opening one of the early Publix stores in Polk County. They later owned and operated their own business, Jimmy's Superette Grocery (IGA). She worked in their store for more than 20 years and later worked for Eckerd Drugs before retiring. She moved to Kissimmee to live with her son and his family in May of 2005 but always remembered and loved her many friends in Lake Wales. She was a member of the Holy Spirit Catholic Church for more than 50 years and was the Flower Lady at the church for 20 years.

She will be missed by her family which includes her husband of 69 years, James M. Gilbreath; her son and daughter-in-law, Jerry & Judy Gilbreath; her daughter and son-in-law, Janyce & Benny Cruze; her grandson and granddaughter-in-law, Ray and Dawn Cruze; her grandson, Artie Van Wart and two great-grandsons, Dalton Cruze and Adam Van Wart. She is also survived by 22 nieces and nephews and many great nieces and nephews. Mrs. Gilbreath is preceded in death by her parents, five brothers and one sisters.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM until the service at 11:00 AM, Thursday, April 2, 2009 at the Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Interment will follow at the Lake Wales Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Maryknoll Sisters Charitable TP, Post Office Box 306, Maryknoll, NY 10545-0306.

To view the webcast of her service, please click the link below:
http://webcasts.lifetributes.com/61748

To visit her tribute website, please click the link below:
http://www.lifetributes.com/MaryKaleelGilbreath