Betty Griffeth Gibbs

Betty Sue Griffeth Gibbs passed away at her daughter's home in Gainesville on Thursday, July 19th, 2012. She was born in Leesburg, Florida, on September 20th, 1928, to James Mathews Griffeth and Esther Norris Griffeth. Betty married the love of her life, John A. Gibbs, Jr., in 1948, and they lived all over the world during John's career in the Air Force, including Denver CO, Rapid City SD, Springfield MA, Guam, Omaha NE, Gainesville for a year while John served in Viet Nam, then on to Ramstein AFB in West Germany, ending up at the Pentagon in Washington DC. Betty proved to be an outstanding military wife, taking over so much of the everyday decisions and responsibilities of raising a family on the move. She worked for 20 years for Southern Bell Telephone/BellSouth and retired in 1986, and she and John continued to travel the country in their motorhome as long as they were able. After his death in 2001, she continued to travel and enjoy her family and friends. Betty is survived by her son, John Michael Gibbs (Colleen) of Dunnellon, daughters Sharren Lee Gibbs and Vicky Lynn Gibbs of Gainesville, and Leslie Anne Sparks (Rick) of Chattahoochee, Florida. In addition, she is survived by four grandchildren, Luke Gibbs and Justin Gibbs (Jenifer) of Dunnellon, Florida, James Hughes (Mandy) of Tallahassee, Florida, and Emily Russ (Ryan) of Little Rock, Arkansas. She has nine great-grandchildren, Garrett, Mattie, Deanna, Amelia, Cecelia, and Griffin Gibbs in Dunnellon, Elizabeth Hughes in Tallahassee, and Eliza and Jon Michael Russ in Little Rock. Betty was a beautiful and sophisticated lady who doted on her family. She could talk about anything with anyone, and she loved music and dancing. Throughout her illness, she remained a truly dignified and gracious Southern lady. She never lost her sense of humor and made us laugh all the time. She will be sorely missed. Visitation will be Sunday, July 22, from 5-7 PM at Forest Meadows Funeral Home, 725 NW 23rd Avenue, Gainesville. Services will be held on Monday, July 23rd, at 10:00 AM at the Chapel in the Meadows at Forest Meadows Central Cemetery, 4100 NW 39th Avenue. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Haven Hospice, 4200 NW 90th Blvd, Gainesville FL 32606, or your favorite charitable organization. Arrangements are in the care of Forest Meadows Funeral Home (352) 378-2528.

Betty Griffeth Gibbs

July 23, 2012