Louise Gilbert Gibson

Louise Gilbert Gibson, 102, of Rainbow City, passed away at Gadsden Regional Medical Center on Tuesday, July 15, 2025. Visitation will be held on Friday, July 18, 2025, at Collier-Butler Funeral Home from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Graveside service will follow at Ashland City Cemetery at 3:00 p.m., with Rev. David Lee officiating.

Mrs. Gibson was born in the Mountain Community on April 28, 1923, to Rutherford Yancey and Elizabeth Gilbert. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 67 years, Robert D. Gibson; her parents; sister, Polly Harris Farrington; and in-laws, Wyatt Lorenzo and Jeppie Stanford Gibson.

She graduated from Mellow Valley High School and earned both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Elementary Education from Jacksonville State University and The University of Alabama. She retired in 1983 from the Gadsden City Board of Education, having served at Mitchell Elementary, Striplin Elementary, and Eura Brown Elementary Schools.

She was a devoted member of Coosa Valley Baptist Church since 1976. Mrs. Gibson lived a full and vibrant life. She traveled extensively, visiting 58 countries, principalities, and territories, and all 50 U.S. states. She was an enthusiastic scrapbooker having documented all their travels, an avid Bridge player—having played just two weeks prior to her passing. She also enjoyed gardening, crossword puzzles, Sudoku, reading the daily newspaper, and watching Fox News.

She is survived by her daughters, Ellen (Allen) Hawkins and Beth (Johnny) Lee; grandchildren, Laura Hawkins Miller, Brett Hawkins, and Elizabeth Lee; great-grandchildren, Mason and Chloe Miller; step-granddaughter, Dr. Amanda Lee Townley and family; sister-in-law, Jane Waters of Destin, FL; nephews, Robert DeStefano, Dr. David Gibson, Steve Spratt, Keith Gibson, Donald Gibson, Ken Spratt, and Jeffrey Gibson; and niece, Becky Ham.

Pallbearers will be her grandson, Brett Hawkins; great-grandson, Mason Miller; and her nephews. Honorary Pallbearers include former neighbors from Covered Bridge Estates, residents of Regency Pointe, and members of Coosa Valley Baptist Church.

Special thanks are extended to all the sitters and caregivers, the staff of Regency Pointe, as well as the 7th floor doctors, nurses, and staff at Gadsden Regional Medical Center, and the Rainbow City medic team, for their kind and dedicated care.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Coosa Valley Baptist Church, 523 W. Grand Avenue, Rainbow City, AL 35906, or to a charity of your choice.