Rolla Gibson

Rev. Rolla Ralph Gibson of Potosi, Missouri departed this life on January 6, 2011 at the Washington County Memorial Hospital having reached the age of seventy three years, six months and nineteen days. He was born on June 18, 1937 at Shirley, Missouri a son to the late Rev. Ralph Gibson and Chloe (Dotson) Gibson.

On March 13, 1955, Rolla was united in marriage to Shirley Lucas and they shared fifty five years together. Rolla and Shirley married at a young age. They were the perfect example of true love through both good and bad times. There home was full of love, laughter, and music. They always taught the family to keep close to God and because of that we will be reunited with him again in heaven someday.

Rolla was a member of the Potosi Southern Baptist Church. He also sang with the White Oak Grove Quartet for about seventeen years. They opened once for the Oak Ridge Boys Quartet. After the White Oak Grove Quartet went there separate ways Rolla then recruited Debbie, Patty, and Dale to sing with him. One could always count on a happy birthday song for every birthday.

Rolla was a man of many talents but, he will be remembered as an accomplished auto body repair man. He taught many of the men who have auto body repair shops today. He painted many stock cars and drag racing cars.

Daddy never met a stranger and anyone who ever met or talked with him walked away with a smile.

In addition to his parents, Rolla was preceded in death by a grandson Seth McCourtney.

Those who remain to mourn his passing are his wife Shirley Gibson of Potosi; two daughters Debbie Lilley and husband Craig of Richmond, Virginia; Patty Fryman and husband Jeff of Potosi; three sons Dale Gibson and wife Mary Anna of Potosi; Jimmy Gibson and wife Cheryl of Potosi; Michael Gibson and wife Kim of Potosi; fourteen grandchildren Crystal Barnett and husband Lucas, Derek Lilley and wife Katie, Jana Dickherber and husband Johnny, Shauna Klasner and husband Tommy, Nick Elliott and wife Pam, Bryan Elliott and friend Amber Woods, Matt Gibson and wife Sarah, Katie Russell and husband Travis, Seth Gibson, Zach Gibson, Emilee Gibson, Amanda Porter and Fiancé Jesse Jones, Stephanie King and husband Justin, Ryan McCourtney and wife Amber, Fourteen great grandchildren Ethan Barnett, Isaac Barnett, Elijah Barnett, Alyssa Dickherber, Brendan Dickherber, Carson Elliott, Makayla Elliott, Conner Gibson, Adalynn Gibson, Kaiden Gibson, Justin Gibson, Alexis Johnson, Chase McCourtney, and Adam Kwan; many other relatives and friends who will sadly miss him.

Funeral services were conducted on Sunday, January 9, 2011 at 2 PM at the Potosi Southern Baptist Church with Rev. Melvin Reed Officiating and Rev. Wayne Isgriggs and Elder Leonard Compton assisting.Musical Selections were provided by The Potosi Southern Baptist Choir. Serving as pallbearers were Luke Barnett, Johnny Dickherber, Nick Elliott, Matt Gibson, Seth Gibson, and Zach Gibson, Justin King, Tommy Klasener, Derek Lilley. Honorary pallbearers were Marvin Harvey and Travis Eye.

A luncheon was Provided by the Potosi Southern Baptist Church for family and friends after the committal service.

Interment and final prayers were held at White Oak Grove Cemetery. All arrangements were entrusted to the care and direction of the DeClue Family Funeral Home.