Dot Gibson – A Woman of True Mountain Heritage Maggie Valley-Dorothy Nelson Gibson, 93, died peacefully on November 15, 2017. “Dot” was a lifetime resident of Maggie Valley after moving over from Swain County where she was born on April 25th, 1924 to Claude and Ada Lominac Nelson. In 1942 Dot met Hulan Gibson of Maggie Valley and they married while he was serving in the US Army Airforce. She stayed in Swain County until he was discharged then they moved to Maggie Valley where they resided the rest of their lives, building a home and raising a son and daughter. Hulan died in 2002. They became grandparents of two grandsons, and later a great granddaughter, and then a great great granddaughter making five living generations. Dot will always be remembered for two of her favorite activities, making spectacular completely handmade quilts in her living room and maintaining a healthy vegetable garden beside her home. A close third favorite thing might be visiting with family and friends and a yearly beach trip with her daughter, Betsy Ferguson. Earlier in life she and her husband Hulan Gibson took several trips and crisscrossed the United States by car visiting most of the states and seeing the great landmarks of our country. She always took her daily walk and was steadfast in walking to Sunday School Class for as long as she was able. A busier person cannot be found! She was constantly involved in her arts and crafts, sewing on her antique Singer pedal sewing machine, visiting with her sisters as long as they lived, as well as enjoying reading, and watching TV especially baseball. On her 91st birthday she received a special birthday card from President Obama and was interviewed and appeared on WLOS. In looking back, it seems her amazing ability to always have a project going, having good friends, and keeping a strong faith were the key factors to her long, successful, and enjoyable life! In addition to her parents, Dot was preceded in death by her husband, Hulan Gibson; two brothers Charles Nelson and USMC Master Sgt. John C Nelson; three sisters Raye Nelson Seay, Margaret Nelson Wiggins, and Jane Nelson Wilson. Dot is survived by her son Claude A Gibson and wife Karen R Gibson of Cherokee; a daughter Betsy G Ferguson and husband Gerald Ferguson of Waynesville; two grandsons Jeff Ferguson and fiancée Elizabeth Balentine of Waynesville, Chris Gibson and wife Kathy R Gibson of Maggie Valley; one great-granddaughter Ashley Gibson and great-great-granddaughter Skylar Gibson, both of Cherokee. Funeral services will be held at 12:00 pm on Saturday, November 18, in the chapel of Garrett Funerals and Cremations with the Reverend Jerry Nelson officiating. Burial will follow at Garrett-Hillcrest Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm prior to the service at the funeral home. Pallbearers serving: Jeff Ferguson, Chris Gibson, James Killian, Charles Killian, Scott Bradley, and Jack Mehaffey. A message of comfort may be left for the family and an online guest registry may be signed at www.garrettfuneralsandcremations.com.
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