Emilie Boyd Gibson

Emilie Boyd Gibson, 98, of Blacksburg, departed this life in the early morning hours, Saturday, December 15, 2012, at the Kroontje Health Care Center, Warm Hearth Village in Blacksburg with family in attendance. She had been a resident there since March 2010 due to declining health. She was born in New River October 13, 1914. Mrs. Gibson is preceded in death by her husband, Theodore Shannon Gibson; father, Eugene Boyd; mother, Elizabeth Katherine (Kate) Morgan Boyd; brother, Robert Thomas Boyd; sisters, Helen Boyd Mantz, Eugenia Boyd Hagerman; special nephew, Russell Glen Mantz Jr., and also nephew Frank Wilson. Emilie graduated from Dublin High School at age 15 as salutatorian, received a two-year normal professional certificate from Radford State Teacher College and taught as a boarding teacher in Floyd County for one year. She went back to Radford College, maintained her good grades for a bachelor of science degree and also attended college many summers to renew her teaching certificate. Mrs. Gibson was active in Bethel Community while she lived there and taught Sunday School at Bethel United Methodist Church. She was a member of the home demonstration club. She taught mostly fourth grade at Auburn Elementary for 35 years beginning when her daughter was in first grade. During those years she worked very hard as a farmer's wife, when her husband died she moved to Blacksburg and taught to retirement. She was active in Blacksburg United Methodist Church XYZ'S, retired teachers' organization and received a 50-year certificate in Delta Kappa Gamma honorary teachers' society this year. She attended Bible Study Fellowship International seven years and served as officer in her organizations. Emilie traced her family genealogy directly from her father to the pioneer Prestons of Smithfield. She memorized scripture as a girl and trusted the Lord. She was an excellent gardener, seamstress, crocheted, knitted, loved word games, canasta and music. She also read avidly and was a person of excellence. Emilie sometimes whistled while she worked, and when she would meet former students as adults they would say, "Mrs. Gibson, you were the best teacher I ever had". She was a good mother and loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Rest well, dear Mother. Your work is done and your reward is nigh.
Psalms 143:8 Let the morning bring one word of your love for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go for to you I lift up my soul.
The family sends many heartfelt thanks to Dr. Michael Payne and his staff, Good Samaritan Hospice, Kroontje Health Care Center, Blacksburg Rescue Squad and Montgomery Regional Hospital. Flowers are appreciated or donations in her memory may be made to Blacksburg United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 931, Blacksburg, VA 24063; or Newbern Historical Society and Museum, P.O. Box 373, Newbern, VA 24126.
Left to honor her memory are daughter, Emogene Gibson Huff and husband, Wallace Lee Huff Sr. D.D.S.; grandchildren, Wallace Lee Huff Jr., MD and wife, Lorrie Lynch, of Richmond, Ky., Christopher Barrett Huff, D.D.S. and wife, Becky Gross, of Blacksburg, Morgan Ashley Huff and wife, Bridgette Winchester, of Richmond, Va.; great-grandchildren, Wallace Lee Huff III, Mason Glen Huff, Theodore Brady Huff, Madelyn Janel Huff, Gibson Jacob Huff, Caroline Elizabeth Huff, Lauren Izayah Huff, Peter Lyon Huff, Phoebe Hawthorne Huff; several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be conducted 11 a.m. Saturday, December 22, 2012, in the Blacksburg United Methodist Church with the Rev. Reggie Tuck officiating. The family will receive friends from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the Blacksburg United Methodist Church and interment will follow in the Highland Memory Gardens, Dublin. Arrangements by McCoy Funeral Home, Blacksburg.