Mart Lee Gibson

Mart Lee Gibson, 77, of Whitley City, Kentucky, passed away on September 22nd at home surrounded by loved ones. Mart was born on April 13th, 1948, in Somerset, Kentucky, to Vernon and Della Gibson.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years, Joyce “Jo” Gibson; his children, Mart Lee Gibson II and his wife Justina, and Vernon Cephas Gibson and his wife Rhea; his many grandchildren, Alexandria Nicole, Haley Grace (Alijah), Mart Nicholas Eldon, Jude Cephas, Mary Johanna Mahayla, Louis Michael, Thecla Roseanthony, George Gerard Gummarus, Vada Claire, Bentley Boone, Alder Cephas, and Huey Vernon Lee; his sister, Joan Piercy; and his many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Our family would also like to acknowledge some special people in Mart’s life through the years: Jo’s entire family, which Mart knew to have loved him as if he were blood kin. Additionally, we want to recognize Chastity Pelfrey, who was like a daughter to Mart; Crandall King, who was loved as a son and spent many years in Mart’s care as a young man; Tanya Melissa Rose, mother of Alexandria, who is still like a daughter to Mart and Jo; and Earnest and Jo Roysdon, who sang with Mart and his wife on many occasions, and in private, just to praise our Lord and Savior. To those unnamed, you know Mart and our entire family love you dearly.

Mart was preceded in death by his father, Vernon Ottis Gibson; his mother, Della Gibson; his brothers, Stevenson and Vernon; his sisters, Phillis, Stella, and Veanne; and his grandchildren, Pearl Evangeline Lee and Everly Elizabeth Joy.

Mart was a hard worker in his many careers over the years and always gave 100% in everything he did. Outside of work, he was a devoted husband and best friend to his wife. He was a father, a coach, a teacher, a mentor, and a protector to his children. He was a devout follower of Christ with deep religious and spiritual conviction. He loved to sing the gospel in church, at home, with his wife, with friends, in the car, to himself… anywhere and everywhere. Later in life, Mart enjoyed the simplicity of his retirement by sitting with his beloved, watching westerns, or listening to his favorite gospel singers.

Family and friends will remember Mart most for his heart of gold, his kind nature, stoic strength, quiet resilience, and unwavering faith.

A graveside service will be held on Thursday September 25, 2025, at 1:00 pm at the Pine Knot Cemetery.

Flowers and/or graveside decorations can be sent to Pine Knot Funeral Home or, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Lake Cumberland in Somerset, Kentucky, or to your local hospice providers, in his name.

Pine Knot Funeral Home is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.