Helen attended the Greenville Public Schools and was a 1935 graduate of Greenville High. Her classmates included "the Percy boys", the nephews of William Alexander Percy. The Civil War historian, Shelby Foote, was a childhood neighbor and friend. Helen was always very proud of the literary circle in Greenville.
In 1937, Helen was asked to represent the Pilot Club in the Miss Greenville pageant. Mrs. Hodding Carter was one of the judges and someone Helen admired all her life. She won the title and represented her home city in the Miss Mississippi pageant. From the death of her father in 1936, until her marriage in 1952, Helen was the bread winner for her family. Her first job was with the Mississippi Corp of Engineers planning the first Greenville bridge. She then became business manager for Mr. Joe Weinberg at his store, The Leader, and the Weinberg properties.
Helen and her late husband, Charles Clifford Gibson, Jr., operated the family farm, store and cotton gin in Jerome, Arkansas. She was a lifelong Democrat and born into the Methodist faith, elected lifetime member of the United Methodist Women, and member and officer of the Altruian Club of Dermott, the National Federation of Women's Clubs and the Pilot Club of Greenville, Mississippi. Helen was also the volunteer director of the first mental development testing of all students, white and black, in the then-segregated Dermott, Arkansas public schools.
She will be remembered for her beautiful complexion, distinctive Mississippi Delta accent and a person not afraid to speak her mind. The Greenville Bridge served her well in numerous trips "home".
Mrs. Gibson is survived by her children, Margaret Ann Gibson Niven, Dermott,AR, Charles Clifford Gibson III, Monticello, AR, Helen Marie Gibson Burks, Vicksburg, MS, John Robert Gibson and William Oran Gibson, New York, NY, her grandchildren, John Robert Burks, Joy O'Neil Gibson Sills,Charles Clifford Gibson IV, and three great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to your favorite charity.
Condolences(14)
Sandra Kay Daniels
Brentwood, TN Sunday, September 9, 2012 Margaret Ann, you and all your family are in our thoughts and prayers. What a lovely lady she was! You have many fine memories and loving friends, and David and I hope you feel surrounded by all the love you need to carry you through. With love from David and Sandra-Kay DanielsJim HOOVER
Citrus Heights, CA Friday, August 31, 2012 My thoughts and prayers are with the Gibson family. Sorry for your loss. Remember your Mom and Dad from the summer I worked out on the farm, and many trips I made to Jerome.Gerre Moak
Madison, MS Thursday, August 30, 2012 Margaret Ann,I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your mother.
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this most
difficult time.
Gerre Cumbaa Moak
Laura Lee Dearman
Monticello, AR Thursday, August 30, 2012 Cliff and family, Just want you to know that I'm thinking of you and so sorry about your mom. I want you to know thoughts and prayers are with you. Laura LeeJanet Long Frazier
Decatur, AL Wednesday, August 29, 2012 Helen Marie, Margaret, Cliff, John Robert, William.I am so sorry to hear about your mother. She was so nice to me when we moved to Jerome from Chicago.I loved her accent and the stories she would tell us and make us laugh. cherish the memories. Not a day goes by that I don't think of my parents.
M&M.Bobby Ellis Gilliam
Shreveport,, LA Wednesday, August 29, 2012 We are praying for all of the family. We lived in Jerome,Arkansas and and as a youngster Mr. Gibsonwould come from Dearmott and get his mail being a
close friend of Dad's Uncle George Burks, Mayor of
Dermott, tend to business at the Store, postoffice and
Offices across the street. He spent time with me and
my my dog and I enjoyed doing things for him. He always kidded me about my two tone shoes. I could
go own for hours for they were so nice to me. I would watch certain things for them as requested.
After Pearl Harbor was attacked Ellis Gilliam Knew he
was going to be drafted and started to have a house built at Enon Community and was drafter.
We are praying for the Gipsons now living in and around Monticello, Ar. Our prayers are for all the family.
I had no idea she was still living.
Bobby Ellis Gilliam and Margaret TindaLL gILLIAM
Beverly Cokley
Dermott, AR Wednesday, August 29, 2012 Dear Gibson Children:I have very few memories of our growing up years in Jerome without Ms. Helen being in them somewhere. She took me to my first ever Christmas Parade in Greenville, 10,000 years ago. She was a wonderful lady, and a character, to boot. She will not be forgotten by me, nor the good times in Jerome with all of you. My heart and love goes out to each of you.
Much love and sympathy,
Beverly
Melissa Majors Curtis
Dumas, AR Wednesday, August 29, 2012 Thoughts and prayers for her family. She was a great lady and I remember her southern drawl!Dollie Blocker
Dermott, AR Wednesday, August 29, 2012 We are so very sorry for your loss. Please know she is in the Lord's loving arms now.Let me know if I can do anything for you.
God Bless all of you in your time of sorrow.
Paige (Hill) Stell
Monticello, AR Wednesday, August 29, 2012 My thoughts and prayers are with the Gibson family during the difficult days ahead. I enjoyed taking care of Mrs. Gibson at Bradley County Medical Center ER. I know she will be missed by many.Sandra Parmer
Monticello, AR Tuesday, August 28, 2012 Sending prayers to all. Ms Helen was a true lady that I admired. Have lots of fond memories of being a guest in her home with her daughter Margaret Ann.Delbert and Candy Sizemore
Dermott, AR Monday, August 27, 2012 Prayers for my lifelong friends...Helen was a southern Lady! LOVE to all.Elaine Tipton
Dermott, AR Monday, August 27, 2012 So sorry for the loss of your mother. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.Pat Savage Montgomery
Monticello, AR Monday, August 27, 2012 So sorry for the loss of Mrs. Gibson. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Please let me know if I can help in any way.