Mr. Joseph Riley Gibson, 93, of 31 Somerset Court, Hartwell, died Thursday, December 8, 2011 at his home after an extended illness.

Born on October 11, 1918 in Greenville, AL, he was the son of the late Joseph Riley Gibson, Sr. and Bennie May Thompson Gibson Harbin and stepson of the late Ned Joseph Harbin.  Mr. Gibson was a World War II US Army Air Corp Veteran where he served as Lieutenant in the Air Transport Command.  He was also a member of the Secret & Ancient Order of Quiet Birdman, a lifetime member of the American Legion 109, former member of Hartwell Golf Club, former member of Hart County Golden K and Silver Eagles and a member of Hartwell First United Methodist Church.

 

Survivors include his wife Doris Gandy Gibson of the home; two children: Joseph Wayne Gibson and his wife Mattie of Monroe, NC, and Deborah Lane Gibson of Hartwell, GA; four grandchildren:  Barry Gibson, Dan Pickens, Christy Smith and Renee Waldrop; and eight great-grandchildren.  Mr. Gibson was preceded in death by his parents; his half-brother, Rufus Elmo Harbin and two-half sisters, Jean Harbin Paoliello and Adelaide Harbin Parker.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, December 11, 2011 at 4:00 p.m. in the Chapel of the Strickland Funeral Home of Hartwell with Dr. R. Allen Stewart officiating.  Entombment will follow in the Nancy Hart Memorial Park.

The body is at the Strickland Funeral Home of Hartwell where the family will receive friends from 3:00-4:00 p.m. Sunday prior to the service.  The family is at the home.  Floral arrangements are optional and special memorials may be made to the Hartwell First United Methodist Church Open Doors Fund, 200 E. Howell St., Hartwell GA  30643 or to the American Parkinson’s Association, 135 Parkinson Ave, Staten Island NY 10305.

The Strickland Funeral Home of Hartwell is in charge of all arrangements.  On-line condolences can be sent to the family at www.stricklandfh.com.