Mary Jane Knowles Gibson died Wednesday, July 17, 2013 at her home in Huntsville, Alabama, just a few hours short of her 83rd birthday.
She was born July 18, 1930, at Elkwood Section in Madison County, Alabama. She was valedictorian of Ardmore High School class of 1947, received her undergraduate degree from Florence State Teachers College in 1952 and her Masters in Education from the George Peabody College for Teachers in 1956.
She was employed by the Huntsville City Schools and spent the majority of her career teaching first grade at Jones Valley Elementary School from its opening in 1963 until her retirement. She took great joy in her many students throughout the years and believed that if you can read you can do anything.
She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Walter Paul Gibson, Jr., her only daughter, Suzanne Gibson Naumann, and her two adoring grandsons, Paul Gibson Naumann and Charles Foard Naumann, of whom she was deeply proud. She also leaves behind two siblings, Knowlen Foster Knowles, of Ardmore, Alabama and Rebecca Knowles Martin of Vestavia Hills, Alabama.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, July 27, at 3 pm in the garden of the Church of the Nativity in Huntsville, after which the family will receive guest at the home of Charles and Suzy Naumann. Ardmore Chapel Funeral Home is assisting the family.
