Barbara P. Gibson went peacefully to her heavenly home on November 28th at the age of 93 after a short illness.
She was born to Paul E. and Mildred Rosemary Jones on August 5, 1930 with her twin brother, Ret. Col. Bernard P Jones (8/14/2009). She proudly claimed that she was born first.
Growing up in Kingston, NY, skiing and ice skating were her favorite pastimes. A graduate of Kingston High School in 1947, she entered Drew University at age 16, majoring in Biology and met her future husband, Donald M Gibson. After graduating in 1951, she moved to New York City and worked in a research laboratory for Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. She married Don on September 21, 1952 and they were married for 71 years. They went on to have three children (spouses): Greg (Debbie) Gibson, David (Enid) Gibson and Ann (Eddie) Roberts.
Starting out in Kentucky with Don’s military assignment and then Massachusetts, they eventually settled in Nashville, TN in 1957. She worked at Vanderbilt UMC as head of a research lab before moving to Lebanon, TN in 1966 where she and Don raised their family and lived for 52 years. They eventually moved to Alabama.
During her life, Barbara volunteered at the Nashville Children’s Theater, helped with Cub Scouts, Brownies and Girl Scouts, was active in the Lebanon Garden Club, enjoyed a local bridge club and assisted Cumberland University with the Nashville Symphony summer concerts. Later in life she attended MTSU to certify in secondary education and worked 23 years in the Wilson County Special Education Dept, schooling homebound students, before her eventual retirement.
As an active member of the First United Methodist Church and Christian Life Chapel, she worked with youth, taught Sunday school and bible studies, and became an ordained pastor. She spoke frequently to Lebanon Women’s Aglow and other groups. In 1984, she wrote the song, “Come to the Shepherd” featured as the cover song of a spiritual music album. Ministering to others and sharing her faith always fulfilled her and blessed others around her.
Barbara is survived by her husband and their three children as well as, grandchildren (spouses) and great-grandchildren: Ben (Britney) Gibson, Evelyn and James Gibson; Rosemary (Cameran) Hamsley; Matt (Kelsey) Gibson, Thomas and James Gibson; Sarah Gibson; Emily Roberts and Megan Roberts. She is also survived by many nephews and nieces.
A Remembrance Service will be held on January, 6th 2024. Details will be released at a later time. https://partlowchapel.com
For more obituaries visit https://wilsoncountysource.com/obituaries/
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