Eddy Gabbert Obituary (1935 - 2025) - New Bern, North Carolina

Eddy was born on February 11th, 1935, in Enid, OK. He was named after his grandfather Leonard and his great-uncle Eddy. After multiple moves, his family settled in McAlester, OK. He has many fond memories of his loving grandparents and great-grandparents, including visiting his grandmother, Nanny at her boarding house for lunch with pie every day and sitting on hay bales with his cousins listening to stories from great-grandfather Elijah Thomas Gabbert. Eddy grew up in McAlester playing football, basketball, and baseball. His favorite job during this time was cleaning the local radio station. He was given the opportunity to host a radio show called The Teenage Platter Party where kids called in to request songs. He also participated in speech, drama, debate, and Latin while preparing for Bible College and his future ministry. He accepted the Lord's call to be a preacher at Sunset Christian Camp at the age of 12. He preached his first sermon on May 28, 1950 at the age of 15 After high school, Eddy attended Cincinnati Bible Seminary where he met and married his wife, Mary Elizabeth Howard. He finished his ministry degree at Midwest Christian College. During their 68 year marriage, they had 3 children, many homes, and jobs. Eddy was loving and supportive of his family, devoting himself to their talents and needs and teaching them the Word of God daily. His wife, Liz, was truly his partner in this endeavor and the joy of his life. Their love story was movie worthy. Eddy preached all over the country. Some of the towns he preached in are: Gardnersville, KY; Custer City, OK; Ardmore, OK; Wichita, Kansas; Clovis, NM, and New Bern, NC. After retirement from Broad Creek Christian Church, he continued to preach at local churches needing a preacher. Between preacher positions, Eddy was also a missionary. He spent two and a half years in Sydney, Australia leading revivals in 42 different churches around Australia and New Zealand. He also served in Jamaica by building and repairing buildings at the mission. After retiring from official ministry positions, Eddy worked at Cotton Funeral Home for 14 years. He then retired for the second, and final, time. He and Liz began attending their beloved Two Rivers Church. He wrote his memoir and a book of funeral sermons. He is preceded in death by his parents, Oliver and Elizabeth Gabbert; his wife, Mary Elizabeth Gabbert; his son, Eddy Leonard Gabbert II; and his brother, Jack Marvin Gabbert. He is survived by his two daughters Edie (Daniel) Siemens; Elizabeth (Greg) Stephens and his daughter-in-law, Shirley Gabbert. 12 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, 2 great, great grand children and many nieces and nephew. A service to remember and celebrate Eddy's life will be held at Two Rivers Church on Saturday, January 11th at 11:00 am. Eddy’s life was a testament to the power of love and faith. His legacy will continue to inspire all who knew him. We encourage friends and family to share their memories and upload photos to Eddy's memorial page as we celebrate his remarkable life. Bennett Funeral & Cremation Care is honored to serve the family and friends of a truly remarkable man, Eddy Gabbert.