Margaret Louise Gibbs

Margaret Louise Gibbs (Dotson) died peacefully on the evening of December 29, 2024, in Louisville, Colorado, at 86 years old, joining her beloved husband who died in October.

Born in Rainelle, West Virginia, as the eldest child of a coal miner, Margaret learned early the importance of resourcefulness and deep connections with family and neighbors. Her upbringing on the Miller Dairy farm in Crawley, tended by her maternal grandparents, fed her imagination and fueled her active participation with the local 4H club throughout childhood. However, her fondest pastime revolved around books, bridging new worlds with hers and reinforcing her lifelong drive for reading and learning.

As an undergraduate exploring her dreams at Berea College, she met the love of her life, Roy Lonzo Gibbs, the two remaining inseparable for the rest of their days. They married in 1958 in Rainelle, West Virginia, and moved to Ohio where they raised their two children and taught many more as educators in the public schools. Margaret also completed her bachelor's and master's at Miami University during this time. Her career spanned 23 years at Alfred Holbrook Elementary School in Lebanon, Ohio.

When the couple retired, they moved to Aiken, South Carolina, closer to family and mild winters. Throughout their active retirement, Margaret and Lonzo enjoyed serving others in the community, spending time with their children and six grandchildren in South Carolina and Colorado and traveling with a close circle of friends through Road Scholar (formerly Elderhostel).

Margaret also loved square dancing and bridge as well as taking an active role in the Garden Club of Aiken and the nonprofit Mended Hearts after Lonzo's open heart surgery. As a faithful member of Grace United Methodist Church, she attended the Cokesbury Sunday School Class and UMC Sunshine Women's Circle, serving in leadership roles, including president of Grace's UMC United Methodist Women from 2002 to 2004.

Though Margaret slowly lost her battle with dementia, she was never alone. Together, her devoted husband, loving family and exceptional at-home caregivers navigated the final difficult years of this disease. Margaret and Lonzo's commitment to each other-especially throughout their last years-serves as a model for all. Though she would eventually forget names, she never forgot Lonzo's, who in turn, cared for her every need until he was no longer able. Likewise, they never lost their playfulness with each other, a positive and joyful dynamic of their relationship.

Margaret will be interred with Lonzo at Grace United Methodist Church Columbarium in North Augusta, South Carolina. Their joint celebration of life will also take place at Grace United Methodist on February 15, 2025. Receiving of friends will begin at 2:00 p.m. in the Wesley Center Parlor. The service will begin at 3:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary.

Her survivors include her sister Pat Tyree (Dotson) and husband Clayton of West Virginia, son Philip Gibbs and wife Sumner (Brown) of Tennessee, daughter Michelle Hill and husband Fenton of Colorado; grandchildren Alex Gibbs and wife Katie of Georgia, Ben Gibbs, Molly Gibbs and husband Rodrigo Moraes, and their mother Patty Gibbs, all of South Carolina, Kyle Hill of Ohio, Joshua Hill and wife Kiersten and Brady Hill, all of Colorado, and Camille Brown, 17; great-grandchildren Grayson Hill, 2, Lily Kate Gibbs, 1, and Spencer Jane Hill, 1 month old. Margaret was preceded in death by her husband, Roy Lonzo Gibbs, and her parents Arnold and May Louise Dotson.

The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to the care team led by Velma Lasseter that enabled Lonzo and Margaret to remain in excellent care at home together to the end of his life.

For donations in Margaret's memory, please visit https://www.berea.edu/giving. Donations can also be made to Grace United Methodist Church at https://www.gotgraceumc.org/giving or the Dementia Society of America at https://dementiasociety.charityproud.org/donate 

SHELLHOUSE FUNERAL HOME, INC.,. 924 HAYNE AVE., AIKEN, SC is assisting the family.