Joel Beth Gibert

Joel Beth Suhren Gibert, a life-long New Orleanian, was born in the city she loved on July 21, 1929.  She passed away peacefully in her sleep on December 7, 2023, at 94 years old at her home in Waynesville, NC, surrounded by her family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lydia Cook Suhren and Adolph Charles Suhren, her aunt, Ethel Henrietta Cook, and her brother, A.C. Suhren, Jr.  

The beloved wife of the late Eugene John (E.J.) Gibert, Jr., Joel Beth was married for 42 years until his passing in 1993.  She was the devoted mother of Cheryl Beth Gibert and Eugene John (Kip) Gibert, III (married to Victoria Morrow) and proud grandmother of Elizabeth Anne Gibert Haffner (married to Jacob Haffner), David Louis Gibert (married to Katherine Staub) and August Morell Gibert-Hock. Her great grandchildren, George Hamish Haffner, Charles Morrow Gibert, John Martin Haffner and Gwendolyn Grace Gibert brought immense joy to her in her final years.

Joel Beth graduated from Isidore Newman High School and Sophie Newcomb College. At Newcomb, she majored in Psychology, served as president of Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority and was on the Tulane University Homecoming Court.

She and EJ were married in San Francisco after World War II ended and spent their first years of marriage on Guam, where EJ, a Lieutenant Commander in the US Navy, was stationed. They returned to their native New Orleans after island duty to start a family.

Joel Beth found meaning in her life by giving to and being with friends and kin. Her Episcopal faith brought her strength. Babies, her own and others, brought her joy. Joel Beth shared her time between her home in Waynesville, North Carolina and Metairie, Louisiana. 

The family would like to thank Freda Tipton and Candace McCullough for their love and devotion in caring for Joel Beth during her final years.

The care of Mrs. Gibert has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Home of Waynesville and an online memorial register is available at "Obituaries" at www.wellsfuneralhome.com.