Elizabeth Mills “Em” Chaffin Gibson

Born on May 3, 1956, at the Army base in West Baumholder, Germany, Em was the daughter of Elma and Martin Chaffin. After returning to the states the family settled down in rural Mississippi, finally moving to Atlanta, Georgia when Em was school aged.  She attended Briar Cliff High School in Atlanta. Graduating early, she remained a beloved member of the class of 1974. Growing up during the tumultuous times of the segregationist South and the Vietnam War deeply influenced her commitment to advocating for marginalized communities. Em pursued her passion for helping others, earning both her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Social Work from the University of Georgia as a non-traditional student. She served as an advocate for youths and families within the local juvenile justice system, affecting the future of countless young people. She also enjoyed her work in addiction recovery in the Athens area. Em, along with her husband, founded Athens Recovery Center, a halfway house system for those reestablishing their life.

She devoted herself to her family and to philanthropy, serving on numerous boards and chairing various committees. She took pride in being an award winning team mother, class room volunteer and substitute teacher during her daughter’s youth. She was involved in the Athens-Clarke County School District mentorship program, served as a Georgia state board member with the AD Chapter of P.E.O., and was involved with the Athens’ Junior League for many years. She sat on the board of  the National Association of Social Workers and her enthusiasm for community shone as both an ARMC Pink Lady and the President of the Board for the Women’s Auxiliary of Athens Regional Medical Center.

She was a devoted wife of forty years and a beloved mother not just to her daughter but to so many others in her community. Her mantra of loving kindness will live on through all of those she touched so deeply.

Elizabeth leaves behind her beloved daughter, Laura Gibson Hooper, her cherished son-in-law Bryan, and her precious granddaughter, Vera Elizabeth Hooper, all of Athens, Georgia. She is also survived by her sister, Mallory Chaffin, niece, Annabelle Sachs, and goddaughter, Katie Reed (James West) all of Athens, as well as her father, Martin Chaffin (Becky Hogan) of Marianna, Arkansas. Em is preceded in death by her loving husband, Dr. Timothy B. Gibson, and her dear mother, Elma Mallory Chaffin.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 4, 2025, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., at the Taylor-Grady House, 634 Prince Avenue, Athens.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the National CASA/GAL Association for Children, 100 W. Harrison Street, North Tower, Suite 500, Seattle, WA 98119 or The Sparrow’s Nest, 745 Prince Avenue, Athens, GA 30606.

Bernstein Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.