GIBBS, Mary Jane 1839-1909

GIBBS, JOYCE, DEWITT

Posted By: S. Bell
Date: 9/29/2013 at 23:53:14

[Waterloo Semi Weekly Courier, Tuesday, March 9, 1909, Waterloo, Iowa]

AGED RESIDENT CALLED HOME

Mrs. Charles Gibbs Lived in this County 43 Years

Saturday afternoon at 3 o'clock, at her home, 202 Mulberry Street, Mrs. Charles Gibbs passed. away after a week's illness. Mrs. Gibbs had been a sufferer for many years of a chronic malady but it was not until a week ago Sunday that she was taken seriously ill, her condition from the first being regarded as critical. A resident of Black Hawk county for nearly forty-three years, she leaves a host of friends all over the county and in Waterloo to mourn the passing of a life of thoughtful unselfishness and kindly service to others.

Decedent, whose maiden name was Mary J. Joyce, was born in Warmeister, Wiltshire, England, May 24, 1839. At the age of ten years, she came with her parents to Skaneateles, Onondaga County, New York and here she was married, March 17, 1856, to Charles Gibbs.

Immediately afterward, they came to Black Hawk County and settled on a farm in Mt. Vernon Township where they lived continuously for thirty-two years, moving in 1888 to Waterloo.

Only one son was born to the couple, Fred J. Gibbs of this city, and on the death of his wife, fourteen years ago, she and her husband made a home for him and his three children, caring for them with all a mother;s love. The aged husband survives the wife and the grandchildren left to mourn are: Edith DeWitt and Roy Gibbs. One sister, Louise M. Joyce, had made her home in Waterloo for some time, and two brothers, Clement and John, reside in New York State.

Mrs. Gibb's chief interest outside her home, was her church, of which she had been a devoted member all her life. During her early married life she united with the Methodist church in East Janesville, and on moving to Waterloo, she became a member of Grace M. E. Church. She took the greatest interest in all the activities of the church, assisting in the various societies until old age interfered with such activities. For the past few years, she and her husband have been among the honored guests at the old people's dinner given as an annual affair by the young people of Grace M. E. Church and they also always enjoyed attending the annual meeting and picnic of the Black Hawk County Old Settlers' Association. She was a devoted mother and grandmother and a friend whom many will mourn.

The funeral services were held this afternoon at 2:30 from Grace M. E. Church, conducted by Rev. E. D. Hull, assisted by Rev. P. A. Trimble of Marble Rock, an old friend of the family. Many beautiful flowers attest the sympathy and love of friends, while the church was filled with the friends who came to pay this last tribute to the dead. The body will be taken tomorrow morning to Janesville, for burial.