Rev. L. G. Gilstrap

  Rev. L.G. Gilstrap, 81, of Gainesville, Georgia passed away peacefully in his home on Sunday, May 29, 2016 with family by his side. 

 The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, June 1, 2016 at Memorial Park Funeral Home on Memorial Park Drive in Gainesville. Rev. Rick Hawkins will officiate the funeral service which is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Thursday, June 2, 2016 at Memorial Park Chapel.  The internment will follow at the Murrayville Assembly of God Church Cemetery on Bark Camp Road in Murrayville. 

 Rev. Gilstrap was born in Murrayville, Georgia on May 7, 1935.   He was the youngest son of the late James Maryland Gilstrap and Mary Rose Garner Gilstrap.  Rev. Gilstrap graduated from Murrayville High School, Georgia Military College and Mercer University.  In 1953, he became an ordained minister.  Rev. Gilstrap then married Mary Gloria Sheffield on November 6, 1954.  Together, the couple furthered their ministry and assisted in building numerous churches through their work as missionaries and ministers for the Assembly of God.  Rev. Gilstrap also worked as an Assistant Clerk in the Georgia House of Representatives from 1964 until 1988.  During this time, he also served as Chaplain and opened many sessions of the State House by delivering the invocation.  Most recently, Rev. Gilstrap was retired as minister of New Hope Ministries in Gainesville, Georgia. 

Rev. Gilstrap was preceded in death by his parents, brothers; J.C. Gilstrap, Rev. James (Jim) Gilstrap, and sisters; Era Belle Villyard, Grace Graham, Mardelle McFalls and Mary Lou Fuller Patterson. 

Rev. Gilstrap is survived by his wife, Rev. Gloria Gilstrap, his daughter and son-in-law, Debi and Ronnie Carder, his sister and brother-in-law, Jean and Archie Henry, sister-in-law Edna Gilstrap, grandchildren; Heather and Tony Coggins, Carol Bennett Dale, great-grandchildren; Priscilla Magnus, Claudia (CJ) Magnus, Tony Coggins, Jr. and Andrew Dale, niece, Claudia Ballenger.  He is also survived by many other nieces, nephews and close family and friends.  

Memorial Park Funeral Home, 2030 Memorial Park Road, Gainesville, GA  30504 is in charge of arrangements.

Send online condolences to www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com.