Paul Emerson Gibbs, 95, of Madison, AL, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family and loved ones.Paul was born January 15, 1931, in Burnettesville, IN. He and Dolores married in South Bend, IN where they had 9 children. Having had enough shoveling of snow, they headed south, eventually settling in Athens, AL. Along the way, Paul served as a manager with Astro Space where he helped send man to the moon, as he built the air fuel mixture for the lunar lander which even now his talents remains with it on the moon! Later, he opened Huntsville Tool and Die Inc. and in 1974 started the first Tool and Die apprenticeship school. Always ahead of his time, he developed a software company “CADE” a computer aided die estimating system. In retirement, Paul and Dolores enjoyed helping others through many volunteer organizations, as active members of the local AARP, Habitat for Humanity and delivering Meals on Wheels. Faithful members of St. Paul catholic church for 5 decades, Paul and Dolores were always ready to lend a helping hand, taught English to immigrants and sang in the choir. Paul and Dolores celebrated 75 years of marriage earlier this year but she passed away just a couple weeks later.
Paul was preceded in death by his parents and loving wife, Dolores, three brothers, Louis Gibbs, Gene Gibbs, and Ralph Gibbs.
Paul is survived by sons David Gibbs (Audrey-deceased), Tim Gibbs (Brenda) and Greg Gibbs (Sherry), all of Madison; Mark Gibbs of Fayetteville, TN, and Chris Gibbs (Lynn) of Folkston, GA, daughters Mary Ann Chambers, Ann King (Danny-deceased), Monica Morgan (John) all of Athens, and Julie Plyler (Charles) of Melbourne FL; grandchildren: Paul Gibbs (Amanda), Theresa Chambers, and Michelle Luxemburg (Marc), all of Athens; Robert Gibbs (Cassandra) of Arab, Lisa Barfield (Shelton) of Decatur, AL, Matt Gibbs (Cherie) of Mt. Juliet, TN, Amanda Eslick (William) of Fayetteville, TN; Emmylou Porter (Brent) of Flintville, TN; Eli Gibbs (Jessica) of Huntsville, AL, James Gibbs (Jessica) of Boiling Springs SC, Evelyn Gibbs of Sarasota, FL, Zachary Gibbs of Callahan, FL, Alicia Sparks of Helena, AL, Vickie Holcomb (Cory) of Sylacauga, AL, Laura Morgan of Huntsville, AL, Elizabeth Burrage (Jeremy), and Gena Dalton (Case) of Harvest, AL, Jillian Plyler, Lindsay Cope (John) of Roanoke, VA, Susie Stiers (Frankie) of Jacksonville, FL, and Trey Plyler of Largo, FL; 25 great grandchildren, sister Patty Haden of South Bend, IN, sister-in-law Margie Gibbs of Huntsville, AL, and many nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends on Monday September 28, 2026, from 6:00-9:00 PM at McConnell Funeral Home. Guests are welcome to join in praying of the Rosary in the chapel beginning at 6:00, with visitation to follow. On Tuesday September 29, 2026, visitation will be held 30 minutes prior to the Funeral Mass at St. Paul Catholic Church. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, and the burial will follow at Roselawn Cemetery.
His grandsons, Matthew Gibbs, Eli Gibbs, Paul D. Gibbs, Robert Gibbs, Trey Plyler, and Logan Ruble will serve as pallbearers.
The family would like to extend their deepest thanks to the caregivers for Paul, Lisa Poss caregivers, especially Ashley Crow, Roree, and Hospice of Limestone County.
Donations may be made to Hospice of Limestone County in his honor.
