Shirley Wilson Gibbs

Shirley Wilson Gibbs of the City of Fairfax, 88, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on May 3, 2018. She was the beloved wife of the late Harvey B. Gibbs, Jr. Shirley is survived by her two sons: Lou Gibbs (Melanie) and Kurt Gibbs (Sandy) and her daughter Susie Hoffpauir; eight grandchildren: Christy Vega, Kelly Gibbs, Matt Gibbs, Jim Gibbs, Madison Hoffpauir, Austin Hoffpauir, Danny Gibbs and Katie Gibbs; and two great-grandchildren: Emily Vega and Lily Vega. She is also survived by her brother, Harry Wilson.

Born on June 22, 1929 to the late Harry and Mildred Wilson, Shirley grew up in Portsmouth, Virginia where she eventually went to work for C&P Telephone. It was there, as a dispatch operator she frequently spoke to a young Norfolk man named Harvey and directed him to various repairs in Norfolk area. They were finally set up on a blind date by mutual friends at Charlie’s Seafood Restaurant in Virginia Beach and were married within a year. They began their married life in Norfolk, moving to Newport News, Virginia and to the City of Fairfax in 1965, where they raised their family. She worked part time jobs in the Fairfax High School cafeteria and as a school crossing guard, numerous volunteering with the Fairfax High School Band Boosters and Fairfax Police Youth Club, but her primary focus was raising her family. They enjoyed traveling but mostly spending time together every summer at their little point on the water in Fenwick Island, Delaware.

A visitation will be held on Monday, May 7th at 11 AM prior to the 12 PM funeral service at Demaine Funeral Home, 10565 Main Street, Fairfax, VA 22030, followed by burial at the City of Fairfax Cemetery. We would like to thank Heartfields Assisted Living in Fredericksburg, VA, who took wonderful care of our Mom for the last several years and the Mary Washington Hospital Hospice nurses, who were there for her the last few days and provided enormous comfort to all of us. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are appreciated to the Alzheimer’s Association or Mary Washington Hospital Hospice.