Joe W. Gibbons

Joe W. Gibbons, son of the late Charles Franklin Gibbons and Oma Usrey Gibbons was born on Oct. 24, 1927 at Greenville, Mo. and died in the Cypress Point Skilled Nursing Center on Aug. 31, 2011 at the age of 83.

Mr. Gibbons was a member of the Dexter Church Of Christ, a veteran of the United States Army, and an educator for 41 years. He came to the Dexter School District in 1964 where he served as principal at Southwest Elementary School until 1978. He then became Director of Elementary Education in the Dexter School System. While serving the district, he was an active member of the MSTA, Dexter CTA and the Dexter PTA.

He was a conscientious and enthusiastic educator who was well respected by faculty members, students, parents and the Dexter community.

He was united in marriage to Norma Cannon on Sept. 15, 1949 at Essex. Mrs. Gibbons survives of the home in Dexter.

Besides his wife, he is survived by one son, Terry Gibbons of Mascoutah, Illinois; by one daughter-in-law, Patricia Gibbons of Desloge; by three grandchildren, Daine Zimmer and husband, Aaron, Jenna Gibbons and Ashley Gibbons.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Jean Garner.

Friends may call at the Dexter Church of Christ on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2011 from 5-8 p.m. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 2, 2011 in the Dexter Church of Christ with Clyde Jacques officiating. Interment will follow in the Missouri Veterans Cemetery at Bloomfield.

Memorials may be made to the Stoddard County Children's Home, P.O. Box 164, Dexter, Missouri 63841.

Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home of Dexter in charge of arrangements.