Ella Gibson Obituary

Ella Gibson, beloved wife of Richard Gibson and loving mother of Beth Brown and Jennifer Huard died April 30, 2011 at Country Club Assisted Living from a prolonged battle with early-onset of Alzheimer's disease. Ella was born to Pearl and Wanda Gunter in Christopher, Illinois on May 27, 1947 and was raised in Thompsonville, Illinois. Ella graduated from Southern Illinois University in 1969 with a major in Speech Pathology and Audiology. She was married to Richard Gibson that same year in Carbondale, Illinois. After teaching in Illinois for two years, she and her husband moved to Colorado Springs in 1971 while her husband was serving in the Air Force. After raising their two daughters, Ella returned to the workplace in 1988 and worked at Colorado College for thirteen years leaving as office coordinator in the registrar's office. After being mis-diagnosed for several years, she left the College in 2001. Ella was an active member of First Evangelical Free Church before she became ill with early onset. She and her husband were also instrumental in helping to start two other local Evangelical Free Churches - Austin Bluffs and Northview. Ella was a devout Christian and a Godly woman. She put her faith in the Lord in all things including the disease. It has been a long goodbye for her and her family but God sustained them. Mrs. Gibson is survived by her sister, Janice Manis and husband Bob of West Frankfort, IL, daughter and husband, Beth and Motte Brown of Hamilton, VA, daughter and husband, Jennifer and Chris Huard of Colorado Springs, nine grandchildren - Sophie, Henry, Luke, Grace, Oliver, Olivia, Alice, Franklin and Hazel, several nieces and cousins. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday May 4, 2011 at 2 P.M. at First Evangelical Free Church. Burial will be at Evergreen Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made either to the local chapter of the Alzheimer's Association or to the First Evangelical Free Church. Ella's family would like to give a special thanks to the staff of Evercare Hospice and Country Club Assisted Living who assisted with her care for the last three years.