Lisbon- Lena Mamie Newby Gibson, 92 passed away Sunday at Emerald Crossings Assisted Living Facility, Dublin, Ohio with her daughter at her side. Lena was a resident of the assisted living facility for three months.
Lena was born October 17, 1921 in Montgomery Alabama to John and Mamie Newby. She graduated from Alabama State Teachers College and worked as an English teacher in Alabama. After her marriage to Bill “Gibby” Gibson in 1944, she moved to Lisbon where she lived until 2010 when she relocated to Dublin, OH to live with her daughter, Cynthia.
Lena, who was affectionately called “Mom Gibson” by her students, worked with the developmentally disabled at the Robert Bycroft Sheltered Workshop for 25 years. She retired in 1988. After retirement, she continued to financially support the Christmas activities for the adult clients of the Bycroft Sheltered Workshop. Noted for her community service through numerous awards and citations, Lena was voted one of Columbiana County’s 100 Most Notable Individuals and was also voted Citizen of the Year. Lena was a member of the Women’s Missionary Society of the the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). She and her husband, Bill, quietly provided support for needy families in the community and provided job opportunities for indigent children. A mother figure to numerous community residents, Lena also enjoyed attending Lion’s Club events with her husband, practicing and teaching yoga, and tutoring elementary school students. She loved singing solos at the First Christian Church and supporting volunteer projects of the church.
Lena is survived by her daughter Cynthia Gibson Hardy , granddaughter Ca-Shauna Hardy Tuggle, and great grand children Coty, Cailani, and Cianna. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband William S. Gibson, daughter Carmen L. Gibson, and sister Carrie Pogue.
The funeral to be officiated by Rev. Greg Bibler will be at 5:00 pm Wedneday at the Weber Funeral Home. Calling hours are one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in the Lisbon cemetery.