Iris Velma Gibson

Velma Gibson of Hamilton passed away on June 07, 2011, age 84. She was born to Andy and Beulah (Moore) Wilson on February 06, 1927, in Clinton, TN. Her family later moved to Liggett, KY., where her father was a coal mining supervisor. Velma attended Liggett Elementary School and Hall High School as well as a local business school in Harlan. She played piano for Liggett Baptist Church and was employed as a book keeper for Perkins Harlan Coal Company. In 1952, she married Wendell Gibson and then worked alongside him in Gibson Brothers' Grocery until they moved to Hamilton, Ohio in 1968. In Ohio, she worked as the secretary at Fairfield North Elementary School until her retirement in July, 1989.

She is survived by her husband, Wendell Gibson; son, Mark Gibson (Christopher Crooks); daughter, Claire (Mark) Kuzma; brother, Bill (Dorothy) Wilson; grandchildren, Adam (Katie) Kuzma and Courtney Kuzma; great-grandchild, Cole Gibson Kuzma; niece, Gail Ward, and nephews, Bobby Crider, Dave Crider, Jeff Wilson, Greg Wilson and Rick Wilson.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her infant son, Michael Gibson; and her two sisters, Helen Back and Edna Smith.

Velmas life revolved around her family and friends. She took great joy in her husband, children, grandchildren, great-grandson, sons-in-law, and all members of her family. She loved sports, often hand-crafting beautiful quilts and cross-stitch while watching baseball, basketball, and football games. She was also an avid reader and public library patron, often completing a novel every day. Though her last years of life were challenged with illness, she never lost her passion for life, her love for her family and friends, or her capacity to laugh and be joyous every day, never uttering a complaint about her suffering. She kept us all laughing and made us feel special whenever we were with her. She will be missed immeasurably, yet we each proudly carry a part of her with us every day, as she left a tremendous legacy of love and generosity.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, June 12, 2011, from 2-4 at The Avance Funeral Home and Crematory, 4976 Winton Road, Fairfield, OH, 45014. Funeral Service will follow the visitation at 4 pm, and burial will be held on Monday, June 13, at 1 pm at the Meredith Family Cemetery, Pioneer, TN. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Hamilton, 1010 Eaton Avenue, Hamilton, OH, 45013 or the charity of your choice.

Visitation

Sunday, June 12, 2011, 2-4 pm

Service

Sunday, June 12, 2011, 4 pm