September 20, 1931 - June 19, 2016
Lola "Barb" Gibbons, 84, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, June 19th, 2016 at home.
An almost lifelong resident of St. Joseph, Barb was born as Lola on September 20, 1931 to Lloyd and Hazel Marshall as an only child. She was raised by her Uncle Lefty and Aunt Opal Driver.
After graduating high school at 17, she attended nursing school and graduated with her RN degree in 1952. She started her career as a traveling nurse working in several hospitals and a home for unwed mothers.
Upon joining the Catholic Church, she chose the name Barb. She put her career on hold to raise all 6 of her children and pour all of herself into making sure they all knew the Lord and got what they needed to the best of her ability. She attended the Re-entry to Nursing Program at the age of 50 and proceeded to work at Catholic Charities Home Health, Bender's Home Health and private duty. She finished out her career as the Director of Nursing at Carriage Square Nursing Home followed by Charge Nurse at the Special Care unit at Laverna Village Nursing Home. She was proudly known as "Colonel" to those who worked with her because she ran a tight ship. Nursing was her life until her final retirement took place after a stroke in 2006.
Barb was a member of First Assembly of God Church, a Boy Scout den mother and as a proud member of the American Red Cross she helped provide care locally during the flood of 1993.
A nurse, an honorable 17 gallon blood donor, a cat lover, a Bull-riding and sprint car racing fan, an avid reader as well as a ferocious Scrabble player, a wife, mother, "sister", grandmother, life-long friend to a special few, Barb was an unbelievably strong and courageous woman, who demonstrated God's love, a witty sense of humor and an amazing work ethic to all who spent any time with her.
She was preceded in death by her parents, aunt and uncle, and "sister" Judy Johnson.
Survivors: son, Michael Gibbons, Texas; son, Patrick Gibbons (Josephine), Maryland; son Joseph Gibbons (Elizabeth), St. Joseph; daughter, Julie Gibbons, Overland Park, KS; son, David Gibbons ( Michelle), Avenue City, Mo.; daughter, Amy Mears (Curtis), St. Joseph, Mo.; 6 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren; 3 cousins, and a few lifelong friends.
Visitation will be held on Friday, June 24th from 6-8 pm and Memorial service on Saturday, June 25th at 3pm, both at Gladden-Stamey Funeral home on St. Joseph Avenue. Flowers/plants are welcome and those wishing to make donations to the American Red Cross are welcome to do so.