Following a twelve-year battle with leukemia that culminated in a valiant and courageous fight against complications from bone marrow transplant at VCU Medical Center in Richmond, Nathanael Lawrence Gilbert, age 24, went Home to be with his Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, at 9:55 PM, on Thursday, June 25, 2015. The beloved son of Lawrence J. and Iris May Gilbert, Nathanael was born on Mother's Day, May 12, 1991, at 12:01 PM. Nathanael loved the outdoors and particularly enjoyed working outside, whether landscaping, taking down trees, splitting wood, or putting on a roof. He counted it a privilege to help people and was especially pleased when he could assist his kind and caring neighbors. He was an avid reader with a broad range of interests, and especially enjoyed military history and science. Some of his many interests included walking, bowling, fishing, woodworking, nature and nature study, active recycling, playing the trumpet, the study of aircraft and building model replicas, politics and photography. A scholarly graduate of the Eagle Home Academy, Nathanael enjoyed matching wits and intellectual acumen with good friend, Tom Schumaker, and with his pastor and friend, John Parks. An avid student of the Bible, he was also an active, dedicated, dependable worker in his church, Peaceful Valley Assembly of God in Maxwelton, WV. As a devoted follower of Jesus, his priority was serving and loving God. Nathanael's lifelong goal was to be a missionary pilot. His heart's desire was to serve Jesus; to see souls saved, healed, set free, and delivered; and to fly. Nathanael, whose name means "gift of God", will be sadly missed but will be remembered for many fine qualities, among them his quick wit and sense of humor, his cheerful whistling, his "merry heart doeth good like a medicine" mentality, his kindness and compassion, his respect for others, his faith and faithfulness and his dedication to God, his strength and determination, being a diligent and hard worker, his quiet courage. He was a bright and inquisitive young man, an encourager, who was an inspiration to many people. Now, he has "fought the good fight, finished his course, and kept the faith". (2 Timothy 4:7) Surviving are his parents, Lawrence J. and Iris May Gilbert, of Covington; an honorary grandmother, Margaret Coffey, of Selma; an honorary grandmother, Laura Rose of Friars Hill, WV, with whom he shared a special bond. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Stanley and Rose Syrek; his paternal grandparents, James and Dorothy Gilbert; a sibling born directly into heaven through miscarriage; and, his honorary granddad, Jimmie Coffey. An open funeral service celebrating Nathanael's life and lifting up the name of Jesus will be conducted Thursday, July 2, 2015, at 2:00 PM in the Chapel of Arritt Funeral Home with the Rev. John Parks officiating. Interment will be made in Cedar Hill Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be selected from friends of the family attending the service. The family will receive their friends Wednesday evening from 6:00 until 8:00 PM at Arritt Funeral Home and at other times will be at their residence, 713 Rose Avenue, Covington. Cemetery Information Thursday, July 2, 2015 Cedar Hill Cemetery 1521 S. Carpenter Dr. Covington,VA - 24426 Service Thursday, July 2, 2015 02:00 PM Arritt Funeral Home Chapel 1102 S. Highland Ave. Covington,Virginia - 24426 Visition Wednesday, July 1, 2015 06:00 PM - 08:00 PM Arritt Funeral Home 1102 S. Highland Ave. Covington,Virginia - 24426