Lucile Gibson

Lucile Marie Gibson was born on December 25, 1922, in Mountain Grove, Missouri to Lillie Ella (Neher) and Edgar Robert Harris, better known to most as Honey and Pop. Lucile and her brother Floyd and sister Viola, grew up in Mountain Grove, Missouri and Rocky Ford, Colorado, before their father bought a grocery store in Swink, Colorado. Lucile graduated from Swink High School and went on to McPherson College in McPherson, KS. While there, she was active in Christian Education groups and participated in a wide range of musical and theatrical activities. After receiving a Bachelor's Degree, Lucile began graduate school at New York University. While pursuing her degree in Christian Education, she participated actively in mission outreach to the Puerto Rican community.

Returning to Colorado, Lucile began work at the First Church of the Brethren in Denver. It was there at the church that she met her future husband, Wayne Gibson. Wayne and Lucile were married on March 20, 1949. Soon after their first son, Randall, was born in December 1949, the newlyweds drove to California for Wayne's studies at the University of California, Berkeley. Later Lucile, Wayne, and the young family moved to San Andreas, California where their second son, Bradford Wayne, was born in 1952. After a year, the family moved to Castro Valley, California and their daughter, Debra Kay (Debbie), was born in 1954. The family lived in Castro Valley for 19 years.

Lucile enjoyed being a homemaker and a mother of three very lively and active children. Lucile also was very committed to the Oakland Church of the Brethren where both she and Wayne were members for over 20 years. Lucile had a love for music and was the music leader at the church for many years. Lucile also managed the "Nook" at the church where she sold SERRV items for the church service project which helped the underprivileged. Lucile was also active in a range of other volunteer activities, among her accomplishments were; local PTA President, Cub Scout Den Mother, Campfire Girl Leader, and member of the local school choir.

In 1973, Lucile and Wayne moved back to Colorado, eventually locating in Ft. Collins. They so enjoyed being close to Lucile's extended family who resided in Denver. Lucile and Wayne joined the Windsor Church of the Brethren, where Lucile was active in quilting and the women's group. She also held fair-trade house parties selling SERRV Handcrafts.

Lucile and Wayne left for McPherson, Kansas in 2003 and settled at The Cedars, where they attended the McPherson Church of the Brethren. Wayne passed away in September 2008; they had been married 59 years.

Lucile passed away on Tuesday, November 20, 2012, at The Cedars in McPherson. She was eighty-nine.

She is survived by her three children, Randy Gibson (Julia Jarvis), Brad Gibson (Nina Zolotow), Debbie Jensen (Alan); and six loving grandchildren, Alisha, Rosie, Curtis, Quinn, Jeanne, and Lauren.

Lucile will always be remembered as a loving wife, mother, and dear friend to many.

A memorial service will be held at 3:00 PM, Saturday, December 8, at the Cedars Conference Center in McPherson, with Pastor Chris Whitacre officiating. Private inurnment will take place at McPherson Cemetery prior to the memorial service. There will be no visitation.

Memorial donations may be given to then McPherson Church of the Brethren in care of Stockham Family Funeral Home, 205 N. Chestnut, McPherson, KS 67460. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Lucile Gibson please visit our Sympathy Store.