James Elywin Gipson, a resident of Sewanee, Tennessee was born on September 30, 1944. He passed away on October 3, 2021. He was the son of the late Erskin Berry Gipson and Hattie Marie Gudger Gipson. A member of a Pioneer family of Franklin County. His great-great grandfather Allen Gipson, served as a private in Lauderdale’s Battalion of Tennessee Mounted Infantry under the command of Captain Benjamin Cherry. During the Indian Removal Wars in 1837-1838, while in Florida skirmishing against the Seminoles, the original Ft. Lauderdale was built. James great grandfather Green served in both the Confederate Army and the Union Navy. His mother’s family was of Cherokee Indian lineage from Ross’s Landing (now Chattanooga) who married into Scottish traders and settlers, Captain Alexander Gudger. They were settlers of Marion County and Gudger Town in the Jump-Off section of Sewanee. James was educated at Franklin County High School and the University of the South with a BA in American History. He taught History and Spanish at Franklin County High School, where he organized and escorted several trips to Mexico so his students could experience another culture. Some of the young people to James’s surprise had never been outside of Tennessee. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his husband, William R. Strong; sister Betty Ann Gipson Elliott Fowler and two brothers, Berry Eugene Gipson and Anthony Wayne Gipson. He is survived by his brother, Richard Dean Gipson and niece Jayme Marie Gipson Condra. A graveside service will be held at Eastern Star Cemetery in Sewanee. Memorial contributions can be made to the Gipson Memorial on Green’s View Road or to Abbo’s Alley in Sewanee. Moore-Cortner Funeral Home, 300 1st Ave NW, Winchester, TN 37398 (931) 967-2222
