Mary B. Gibson

Mary Emily Gibson, nee Byrd, age 92, went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Wednesday morning, November 22, 2023. Born in Hartsville, SC, Mary was the second daughter born to the late Jasper Lee Byrd and Hallie Blanche Jordan. She grew up in Hartsville and was a graduate of Hartsville High School and Coker College where she earned a degree in education. She taught elementary school in Bennettsville, SC for several years.

She married the late Harry Joseph (Joe) Gibson, Sr. in Hartsville in June 1959. They lived several places in South Carolina before moving to their final home in Jacksonville, FL in 1976. Mary loved her Lord and was always very active in church wherever they lived. In the community of Cordova, SC she helped start and taught kindergarten at the Baptist church in the mid 1960s. After moving to Florida, she taught in the kindergarten at Wesconnett Baptist Church in Jacksonville for several years. Over the years she taught Sunday School classes for children and in her later years she led several adult women's classes.

Mary was a wonderful loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who loved to have her children and grands around, especially at holidays. Her favorite hobbies were crocheting and solving the daily crossword. She also enjoyed outings with her lady friends from church and talking on the phone with her brother and sisters when she could.

In addition to her father, mother, and husband, she was preceded in death by her twin brother, Jack; her older sister, Margaret; and younger sister, Jane. She is survived by her children Harry Joseph (Joe) Gibson, Jr., and his wife Sheilah; Emily Jane Gibson Martin and her husband David; and William Troy Gibson, and his wife Michelle; grandchildren Jarrod (Meghan), Victoria (J.D.), Savannah, Will (Erin), Caleb, Katie, Robert, Jordan (Brandon), Ethan, and Daria; great-grandchildren Gauge, Oliver, Charles, Bennett, Ella, Adalyn, Austin, Hailey, Charlotte, Riley, and Lukas; and many nieces and nephews.

A visitation for Mary will be held Friday, December 1, 2023 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Hardage-Giddens, Riverside Memorial Park & Funeral Home, 7242 Normandy Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32205. A funeral service will occur at 12:00 PM at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Riverside Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, please designate donations to the American Cancer Society.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hgriversidefuneralhome.com for the Gibson family.