Irene Elizabeth Gibson

Irene Elizabeth Gibson, age 96 of Mt. Airy, Georgia and Leesburg, Florida, passed away peacefully after a yearlong battle with cancer on Monday, September 11, 2017.

Mrs. Gibson was a member of the Mt. Airy Baptist Church and was its oldest active member until her illness. For the past 9 months of her life she attended Whitney Baptist Church in Leesburg, Florida while residing with her daughter and son-in-law.

The most important things in her life were faith, family, church and friends. Born to the late Mack and Odie Evans of Helen, Georgia on September 22, 1920. Married to Hoyt Smiley Gibson for 55 years and mother to 6 children, Betty Jo, Edwin, Jerry and Leslie all deceased and one step son, Gene Bo also deceased.

Mrs. Gibson leaves behind her daughter, Janice Westbrooks of Carnesville, Georgia; daughter and son-in-law, Diana and Larry Rinehart of Leesburg, Florida; daughters-in-law, Mary Gibson (Edwin) and Stephanie Banfield (Leslie); brothers, Ike and Larry Evans of Clarkesville, Georgia; 16 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren each who were her pride and joy and loved so dearly. She loved everyone and in turn everyone loved her.

Memorial services are scheduled for 10 am, Tuesday, September 19, 2017 in the Chapel of McGahee-Griffin and Stewart with Pastor Butch Franklin and Pastor Ray Turpin officiating.

The family will receive friends from 2-4 and 6-8 pm on Monday at the funeral home.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made in her honor to Mt. Airy Baptist Church or Cornerstone Hospice, 2445 Lane Park Road, Tavares, FL 32778-9648.

An online guest register is available and may be viewed at www.mcgaheegriffinandstewart.com.

McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home (706-778-8668) of Cornelia is in charge of arrangements.