Mary Anne Gibbons

Mary Anne Bates Gibbons was born in Birmingham, Alabama, on June 23, 1939, to Marvin Burdette Bates and his wife Ellen "Nellie" Morgan Beddow Bates. She passed away peacefully on May 30, 2025, at her home in Birmingham, surrounded by family.

Anne graduated from Ensley High School in Birmingham in 1957. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from Birmingham-Southern College in 1961. She later earned her Juris Doctor degree from Cumberland School of Law in Birmingham in 1979.

Anne married her high school sweetheart, Grady Whitfield Gibbons, in 1961. They were married for 64 years. After college, she taught English at Ensley High School and started the debate team, serving as the coach. She led the team to win numerous national awards. After law school, she worked 25 years as the permanent law clerk for United States District Judge Foy Guin.

Anne was a volunteer extraordinaire. Among her many activities were the following: Women’s Committee of 100 for Birmingham, President; The Antiquarian Society of Birmingham, President; General Sumter Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Regent. She was a "triple" dame being a member of the National Society of Colonial Dames of America, Colonial Dames of America, and Colonial Dames of the 17th Century, serving as President. She was also a member of the Daughters of American Colonists serving as President and the Daughters of American Colonists.

Anne was a classically trained soprano. She gave up the opportunity to sing nationally to marry Grady, but enjoyed many years of singing in choirs at Southside Baptist Church, First Baptist Church of Birmingham, Mountain Brook Presbyterian Church, and Mountain Brook Baptist Church. Anne was also an excellent needleworker and won many national awards for her beautiful pieces.

Anne loved going to the Bates family farm in Vincent, Alabama, with her family. She was responsible for the marking of 13 historical sites in Vincent and the discovery and restoration of a cemetery where Indians, slaves, and the plantation owners had been buried, which was called one of the most important finds according to the National Cemetery Association. Anne and Grady also very much enjoyed their supper club, "Sagacious Sippers", for over 60 years.

Survivors include her beloved husband, Grady; daughter Melissa Gibbons Whetstone (Gregory Todd) and grandsons Morgan Robins Whetstone (Chapin Smith), Wesley Whitfield Whetstone, and Bates Everitt Whetstone; son Farling Whitfield Gibbons, granddaughter Bailey Gibbons Garrett (Michael Chase), and great-grandsons Michael Grady Garrett and Caleb Glenn Garrett.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, at 1:00 pm at Mountain Brook Baptist Church in Birmingham.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Rehoboth Sunday School Class Fund at Mountain Brook Baptist Church, 3631 Montevallo Road, Birmingham, AL, 35213.