Roy Lonzo Gibbs

Roy Lonzo Gibbs died on October 23, 2024, at home in Aiken, South Carolina, at 88 years old.

Those who crossed paths with Lonzo met a man with a twinkle in his eyes, abiding faith in his heart and deep love in his soul for his beloved wife, Margaret Louise Dotson. Their enduring 66-year love for one another began when they met as undergraduates at Berea College and touched all who knew and loved them through their years together.

Born in Corbin, Kentucky, in 1936 as the last of 13 siblings, Lonzo grew up knowing the value of hard work, putting trust in others and compassion for all living things.

A first-generation college graduate, Lonzo earned his master's in 1968 in educational administration from Miami University and taught middle and high school math for 31 years in Waynesville, Ohio. His strong work ethic and focus on others also showed up in service to his community, whether as a member of city council or volunteering through their church. He was also a model dad, showing up for his kids' many activities throughout their school years, instilling in them and his students the importance and value of a good education.

After retiring with Margaret in Aiken, he became an active member of Grace United Methodist Church where he taught Sunday school, attended the Cokesbury Sunday School Class and participated in regional church efforts, including United Methodist Church annual conference committees. He loved serving others, square dancing with Margaret, bridge, hunting, woodworking, brain teasers and math games, dog breeding and volunteering with Mended Hearts after his own open heart surgery.

Above all, Lonzo kept his gardens full throughout his adult life. Whether fruits, vegetables or ornamentals, he spent many days caring for his little corner of heaven and keeping his birdfeeders full. Many people left from a visit with him with either their arms full of produce from his garden or a potted start of a plant from his yard.

Lonzo will be interred at Grace United Methodist Church Columbarium in North Augusta, South Carolina, and a celebration of life will take place also at Grace United Methodist on February 15, 2025. Receiving of friends will begin at 2:00 p.m. in the Wesley Center Parlor. The service will begin at 3:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary.

His survivors include wife Margaret, his son Philip Gibbs and wife Sumner (Brown) of Tennessee, daughter Michelle Hill and husband Fenton of Colorado; grandchildren Alex Gibbs and wife Katie of Georgia, Ben Gibbs, Molly Gibbs and husband Rodrigo Moraes, and their mother Patty Gibbs, all of South Carolina, Kyle Hill of Ohio, Joshua Hill and wife Kiersten and Brady Hill, all of Colorado, and Camille Brown, 17; great grandchildren Grayson Hill, 2, and Lily Kate Gibbs, 1. He was preceded in death by his sisters Bethel Taylor, Ethel Johnson, and Zetta Fincher, and brothers Lee, Albert, Delbert, Chester, Maynard, Robert, Jesse, Arthur, and Charlie, and parents Mary Alice and Ancil Gibbs.

The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to the care team led by Velma Lasseter that enabled Lonzo and Margaret to remain in excellent care at home together to the very end of his life.

For donations in Lonzo's memory, please visit https://www.berea.edu/giving. Donations can also be made to Grace United Methodist Church at https://www.gotgraceumc.org/giving 

SHELLHOUSE FUNERAL HOME, INC., 924 HAYNE AVE., AIKEN, SC  is assisting the family.