Elmore Morgan "Moe" Gibbens

Elmore Morgan "Moe" Gibbens

Bay St. Louis, MS

Elmore Morgan "Moe" Gibbens, died on, March 11, 2014. Born December 22, 1918 at Santa Maria Plantation in Hope Villa, La. He attended St Stanislaus High School in Bay St Louis, Loyola University in New Orleans, and also The University of Mississippi in Oxford, MS. where he majored in Physical Education and played football before enlisting in the Marine Corps. Gibbens served as a technical sergeant during World War II in the MAG-15 Co. and was stationed in the Pacific on the carrier USS Copahee. While stationed at Camp Pendleton, California, he met the love of his life, Margaret Mary "Peggy" Mulligan of Los Angeles, Ca. and they were married there at St John's Catholic Church on June 22, 1945. Gibbens worked in the Louisiana oilfield for a short time before starting his own weather-stripping business in Los Angeles. He and "Peggy" and family moved back to Louisiana in 1956 and settled in River Ridge (Red Gate) where he worked with his brother, Bob, in the construction business with Gibbens Bros. Construction. In 1972, Gibbens relocated his family to Bay St Louis, Mississippi and he continued to work in the New Orleans area as a building materials salesman until he retired.

He was a parishioner of Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church.

Elmore was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 60 years, Margaret Mary Mulligan Gibbens; parents, William Benton Sr. and Marie Moore Gibbens; siblings, Sister Mary ,OSF, William B. Jr. ( May) , Noyes P. (Louise ), Henry H. "Tony"(Lillian) , Thomas E. ( Marie Alice) , James H. Sr (Elizabeth),; sisters-in-law, Geraldine "Jerry" Lovelace, and Mary Ducote; brother-in-law, Robert Bentel.

He is survived by his six children, Margaret A. Handy (Woody) of River Ridge, La., Susan M. Fish (Ron) of Palm Coast, Fl., Jeanne L. Cook (Craig, Sr) of Mandeville, La., Michael E. of Bay St Louis, Ms., Patrick C. (Melissa) of Covington, La., and Thomas B. (Leslye) of Little Rock, Ar., 12 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings, Julian L., Robert D., and, Marie Bentel. He was very thankful for his (and Peggy's) devoted caregiver of ten years, Agnes White.

Family and friends are invited to Visitation at Our Lady of The Gulf Catholic Church, Bay St Louis, on Sat., Mar. 15, 2014, from 12 o"clock, noon until Mass of Christian Burial at 1p.m. Interment at Garden of Memories, 3rd Street , Bay St Louis, Mississippi Services under the direction of Edmond Fahey Funeral Home, Bay St Louis. In lieu of Flowers, you may make donations to: St. Stanislaus College Preparatory School, 304 S. Beach Blvd., Bay St. Louis, MS 39520. Attention: Chris Mensi, Advancement Director. Checks made out to: SSC Elmore Morgan Gibbens Memorial.