Rhama Gilbert

Rhama Gilbert passed away peacefully at home on August 25, 2026, at the age of 80, while receiving hospice care after a battle with breast cancer. Born to Rexford and Leta Cragg on September 18, 1945, in Kilgore, Texas, Rhama spent most of her life in Mountainburg, Arkansas; Colorado Springs, Colorado; and Round Rock, Texas. A treasured wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Rhama was at the heart of a blended family that included six children, 15 grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. She is survived by her husband, Leonard Gilbert; her sister, Evelyn Dempsey, and Evelyn’s family in Colorado Springs; and five children: Jeanne Martinez and Lido Martinez of Colorado Springs, Starla Johnson of Beaverton, Oregon, Rachael Scarfone of Port Richey, Florida, and Matthew Gilbert of Round Rock, Texas. Rhama was preceded in death by her daughter, Debbie Montoya, who passed away in 2019 also on August 25. Debbie is survived by her four children and three grandchildren, all of whom live in Colorado Springs. Rhama earned a degree in Applied Mathematics from the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) in 1986. While attending college, she met her husband, Leonard. At the age of 42, she welcomed her youngest child and began a new chapter of parenthood. In the years that followed, she served with the PTA and helped coordinate and organize the Talented and Gifted (TAG) program at Brushy Creek Elementary School and District wide. Rhama had a lifelong love of learning and was an avid reader of both nonfiction and fiction, especially mysteries. Among her favorite authors and books were John Grisham and Lilian Jackson Braun’s “The Cat Who…” series. Even in an age of computers, email, and online chats, she treasured the personal touch of handwritten letters and faithfully kept a journal to record both everyday moments and important events. She delighted in decorating greeting cards with stickers from her collection and sent them to her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, relatives, and friends for birthdays and holidays. Her lovingly decorated cards became a cherished family tradition, and everyone looked forward to receiving stickers from Grandma. Rhama was also passionate about genealogy and family history, and she enjoyed collecting vases, postcards, and shot glasses. Rhama was deeply loved and will be greatly missed. She will be laid to rest at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen, Texas. A celebration of Rhama’s life will be held on September 19, 2026, from noon to 3:00 p.m. at the Salina’s Event Center, 1900 E Howard Ln, Building 5, Pflugerville, 78660.

Rhama Gilbert

September 18, 1945 - August 25, 2026