Betty G. Gibbs
February 5, 1925 - March 13, 2014
Betty G. Gibbs, of Grand Junction CO, passed away March 13, 2014.
Betty was born February 5, 1925, in Lacon, Illinois to Thomas and Dorothy Sherman. The family moved to Grand Junction when she was one year old. Her father was a stone mason and helped to build the Avalon Theater and the shelter house on Lands End on the Grand Mesa. She attended school in Grand Junction and graduated from Mesa Jr. College. Betty was the first female student body president. She attended University of Southern California majoring in geology.
Betty married and had four children. After divorcing, she returned to Grand Junction to attend Western State College in Gunnison, CO. There she met Jim Gibbs who took the responsibility of father to all four kids.
Betty and Jim were married 54 years. She taught school for 30 years mostly at Broadway Elementary and Fruita Middle School.
She is survived by her "Dolly" Jim; daughter, Diana (Randy) Brophy; sons, Christopher (Jeri) Menzies, and Steven (Deb) Menzies; six grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by daughter, Kathy Menzies, her brother, Robert Sherman and her parents.
Cremation has taken place. A memorial service is to be announced.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to Best Friends Sanctuary or Roice Hurst Animal Shelter.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
As my 6th grade teacher, you truly inspired my own teaching Mz. Gibbs! I often find myself remembering your ability to make us feel heard and appreciated as individuals, I wanted to do that for today's kids. Thanks for everything, you will be missed.
Jan Carpenter Bradford
March 18, 2014
I had the great honor of learning the true meaning of how to become a teacher under the encouraging and caring leadership of Betty Gibbs. I first interned then student taught under her guidance, along with that of her core partner. I had so much fun learning the ropes of how to love, care for, and encourage young lives. The lessons she taught me have stayed with me forever, and I love her for that. Her compassion for shaping young lives has continued through the many lives she touched, including mine, because she taught me what it is to truly be a teacher. We will miss you Betty Gibbs, but the memories and compassion you have invoked will live on forever. I know you will continue to watch over the world of education and children forever. Rest in Peace.
Carol Flick
March 17, 2014
Mrs. Gibbs was one of those teachers that students will remember forever.You could feel her passion for teaching - she never was able to get division through my blonde head:) But to this day I vividly remember Piglets voice! I will never forget getting to feed the new born lambs at recess. What an honor that was!! Her love of life went beyond us children, we know it spilled over to her peers and of course the animals. What a beautiful woman she was. Never to be forgotten and certainly an inspiration for those of us who have followed in her footsteps in the teaching profession. Heaven is gaining one heck of an angel:)
Melinda Conn-Kitta
March 17, 2014
A truly special teacher who helped kindle a love of reading in me as a child. I'm confident that many others would recognize this, too.
Joe Todd
March 16, 2014
Betty was my fifth grade teacher & I was really struggling at the time & she reached out to me. She saved my life at the time. She was an amazing woman and she will be greatly missed!
March 16, 2014
So many great memories! Although my teacher for only 4 months in 6th grade at Broadway Elementary my life for the next 6 years was further blessed to have our family (Gaines/Gould) be Jim and Bettys only neighbor on Redlands Ct. at which time we moved to Montana and one of their children purchased our home. I would suggest that the Ct. be renamed "Gibbs Ct.". For the many times our horses, goats, rabbits, chickens or dogs invaded their property you couldn't ask for more understanding and wonderful neighbors. With 2 dogs by the names of "Killer & Fang" one can only wonder as a 11 year old boy whose father was dying from Cancer what you were going to be in for. Coming from the skateboarding concrete suburbia of San Diego to the dirt and cockleburs of Goat Creek one couldn't have asked for more and am truly grateful to have had you both during such a turning point of my life. My thoughts and remembrances might are only exceeded by one and only one thing........ Jims red and white Ford truck!!!
I thank you both and will always cherish my memories. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Sincerely,
Ric Gaines
Ric Gaines
March 16, 2014
Although I only knew you for a short time of my life you will always be remembered and cherished as one of my favorite teachers. I can still picture your face illuminated by candlelight as you read "Where the Red Fern Grows" to your class. You were a special one. Thank you.
Greg Wilson
March 16, 2014
Mrs. Gibbs was my 5th grade teacher back in the day at Broadway Elementary. I remember she had a dog named Snoopy who would sometimes wander over while we were on recess. She would sing Happy Birthday and Snoopy would howl along with her as she sang. Us kids were always so entranced with that and thought that was the coolest thing ever. I had such a hard time grasping the idea of division until she helped me one on one at the chalkboard until I was finally able to master division! I'm sure she and Snoopy are back together entertaining an eager audience in Heaven. ??
Susan Marrero
March 16, 2014
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