Malinda (Turpin) Gilbert

Malinda Turpin Gilbert, 82, passed away on April 11, 2026, in Caldwell County, Kentucky, surrounded by her loving family.

She was born on July 19, 1943, in Patoka, Indiana, the eldest of three sisters, and spent most of her life as a pillar of her community in Princeton, Indiana.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Freida Turpin, and her sister, Martha Sue Morthland.

Malinda’s husband of nearly 60 years, George A. Gilbert, held her hand until the very end. Her children, Neile (Matt) McQueen of Franklin, Indiana, and Todd Gilbert of Auburn, Alabama, were also by her side.

She is further survived by her sister, Marilyn (Judson) Adamson; her grandchildren, Samantha (Evan) Henry, Chase McQueen, and Caroline (Dane) Denniston; and her great-grandchildren, Mason and Miller Henry.

Known to many simply as “Mrs. Gilbert,” she was far more than a mother of two—she was, in many ways, a mother and mentor to generations of students as a beloved schoolteacher. She graduated from Mount Olympus High School in 1961 and went on to earn both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from Oakland City College and the University of Evansville. She spent 30 years as a teacher in the North Gibson School Corporation.

George and Malinda built a life together in their beloved home of many years on North Main Street where they settled as a young married couple to start their family. In 2023, they moved to Lake Barkley in Eddyville, Kentucky—a place deeply woven into their family’s story, where they had spent countless summer days since 1967.

Malinda lived a life defined by kindness, service, and quiet but lasting impact. Her family often grew accustomed to being stopped by strangers eager to share how much “Mrs. Gilbert” had meant to them—not only as a teacher in the classroom, but as a steady and caring presence far beyond it.

She will be remembered for her kind heart, her unmistakable laugh and spirited cheer, her sharp wit, her deeply held principles, and her gentle, guiding way with others.

Her legacy lives on in the countless lives she touched, the lessons she instilled, and the love she gave so freely.

The world is a better place because she was in it.

A memorial service will be held 1 pm Thursday, April 16, 2026 at the Colvin Funeral Home in Princeton.  Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. 

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Decker Cemetery c/o Ron Hudson 1180 W. 440 N., Patoka, IN 47666.  Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

Condolences may be expressed online colvinfuneralhome.com. The Colvin Funeral Home is honored to serve Malinda’s family.

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