Marjorie Compton Gibbs

Nov. 13, 1927 - March 15, 2011

Marjorie Compton Gibbs of Troutman departed this life on Tuesday, March 15, 2011 to her eternal rest in Heaven. She was born on November 13, 1927 to the late Edgar Daniel Compton and Vera Troutman Compton. She graduated with honors from Troutman High School. Marjorie married the love of her life, Joe Ben Gibbs, and that love continued even after his death three years ago. Family was first and foremost in everything Marjorie did. She would always pull the family out of trouble, pulling them together through the generations. Having married Joe Ben, she found a partner equal in her commitment to family and doing the right thing, even if it meant some people sleeping on the couch, eating at card tables and adding more beans and potatoes to the pot. Although she didn’t consider them a sacrifice, the sacrifices she made for her family were numerous. They began at the age of 14 when she drove her father to the hospital for cancer treatment and administered his shots, even taking him fishing afterwards. While on her honeymoon, her mother had a heart attack and the short of a long story is that she became the caregiver for her mother, younger brother and sister. They both graduated from college with graduate degrees and enjoyed successful careers. She grew up poor during the Depression but always showed a non-pretentious dignity that continued until her death. In March of 1953, Marjorie and Joe Ben expanded their family to include their first child, Joe Ben Gibbs, Jr. who became known as Joey to the family and community. 3 ½ years later, her first daughter, Cynthia Diane, was born and 3 ½ years after that, they completed their immediate family with the birth of Michael Dean. Her support and devotion to her family preceded anything else in her life. Over the past 29 years, the family was expanded with the addition of six grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Marjorie truly enjoyed the results of the earlier sacrifices she had made. Marjorie is survived by her two sons, Joe Ben Gibbs, Jr. (Cathy) of Davidson and Michael Dean Gibbs (Ginger) of Concord; her daughter, Cynthia Gibbs Beason (Ted) of Hickory; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Funeral services celebrating the life of Marjorie Gibbs will be held at 11 a.m. today at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Troutman with the Rev. Matthew Miller and Vicar Diane Bowker officiating. Burial will follow in the Troutman Historical Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 308, Troutman, NC 28166 or Gordon Hospice House, 2347 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28625.