Jack Reginald Gibson

Jack Reginald Gibson, age 90, passed away on Friday, November 21, 2025, at St. Catherine’s Village in Madison, Mississippi, after a short illness. He spent his final days peacefully, surrounded by family and close friends. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Elizabeth Bell Ford Gibson, known to everyone as Betty Bell, his sons John (Ginny) and Lee (Kim), four granddaughters –Dawn, Elizabeth (Robert), Kimberly (Davis), Grace (Henry)-- and four great grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his three siblings, Olive Rae, Edgar, and W.D.

Jack was born September 18, 1935, in Laurel and grew up in Collins, the son of Minnie Lee and Wheeler Gibson. He met Betty Bell, his future bride, at Willie’s Roller Rink near Magee when both were in high school. They married in Taylorsville on September 4, 1958.

After serving in the United States Army, Jack graduated from the University of Mississippi with a business degree. He initially worked at First National Bank in Jackson, and later for Consolidated American Life Insurance Company. In 1984 he returned to his hometown of Collins, where he served as Executive Vice President of Covington County Bank, and also served as Chairman of the Board of Directors. In 1986 he was elected as the first Secretary-Treasurer of the Collins Chamber of Commerce. After retiring, he and Betty Bell returned to Jackson. In 2020, they relocated to St. Catherine’s Village in Madison.

Jack was passionate about aviation and learned to fly while a student at Ole Miss. Over the years he owned and flew several single-engine aircraft. After his flying days ended, he built and operated dozens of remote control model airplanes, some based on airplanes he had actually flown.

He loved sports, playing football and baseball at Collins High School, and later enjoyed tennis with Betty Bell and golf with his good friend and pastor, Tommy Shields. He served as a coach for his sons’ Little League teams, and was a lifelong football and baseball fan, closely following Ole Miss and the New York Yankees. Jack was also a sports car and motorcycle enthusiast. Well into his seventies, he would still take Betty Bell for longs rides on his Triumph.

Another of his passions was fishing, especially in the Mississippi Sound and Gulf of Mexico. He and Betty Bell often fished off the Chandeleur Islands and at Grand Isle, Louisiana, joined by family and friends, or simply together.

Jack lavished attention on his granddaughters. Taking part in his hobbies, fishing together in the family’s pond, laughing with him over a thousand inside jokes – the girls adored their “Grandjack.”

He and Betty Bell were members of First Presbyterian Church during their Jackson years, and Collins Presbyterian Church while living there. In Collins, he served as a Deacon and later as a Ruling Elder. He was the church’s liaison with architects and builders, overseeing major church renovations. Jack was also instrumental in the formation of the Collins Presbyterian Church’s Compassion Fund, a ministry for community members facing financial hardship. Upon moving back to Jackson, he was elected Elder Emeritus.

After a family graveside service, a visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 25th, at 11:00 at First Presbyterian Church in Jackson, with a celebration of life following in the chapel at 12:00. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Collins Presbyterian Church and French Camp Academy.

The family is grateful to the kind and attentive staff of St. Catherine’s Village for caring for Jack in his later years. We also thank our parents’ beloved caregiver, Yvette Sanders, for her support and friendship.