Thelma Floreine Gibson Obituary

Thelma Floreine Gibson was born March 22, 1922, to R.E. (Epp) and Margaret Webster at Grandad Lawson Whitehead's home in the Stonington area. She departed this life on February 19, 2012.

Mom grew up on the farm and herded and milked cows along with everything else that goes along with farm life. Mom attended the first seven grades at the "Point Rock School" northwest of Elkhart. At that time her folks lived 2 miles north and 7 miles west of Elkhart. Her family then moved to Baca County in 1935 and Mom went to Konantz School for the 8th and 9th grades. For her sophomore year she attended school at Elkhart where she lived with Aunt Mae and Uncle Bert Zimmerman. She finished her junior and senior years of high school at Stonington, graduating in 1940.

On July 29, 1940, Floreine married Milton Leslie Gibson, Jr. Eight children were born to this union – Beverly Nadine, who died in infancy in 1943 – Delma Faye (Sharpe) and Delmar Ray born March 10, 1944, Patricia Lorraine (Woolley) born April 16, 1952, Harley Van born January 24, 1957, Loretta Elaine (Stoddard) born October 19, 1960, Deanna Lynette , who died in infancy and James Roy, who was stillborn.

Junior and Floreine bought a farm 4 miles southwest of Stonington (where Harley and Thea live now) in 1943 and were engaged in farming and ranching. They lived there one year, and then sold it. The year of 1944 was interesting with the arrival of unexpected twins, Delma and Delmar. While Mom was in the hospital with the twins, Dad added to the surprise by moving them to the Gibson homestead southwest of Konantz (where Dad was born). In 1946 they bought another farm west of Stonington and lived there 8 years during which time Lorraine was born. In 1954 they sold the farm to Marvin and Vina Burhenn and moved to the mountains near Salida, Colorado, during which time Harley was born. In the summer of 1957 they moved back to the Stonington area (the Bill Burhenn place which now belongs to the Terry Burhenn family). They lived there 3 years during which time Loretta was born. Later that year, in 1960, Dad and Delmar built a basement and house in Walsh and the family moved there, where they resided until they were no longer able to live at home. Mom often commented that "she wasn't planning on moving again."

Mom had a lifetime passion of working outdoors in her yard, garden and flower beds. She knew all of her flowers by name and took special care of each one. Mom had plants on every window sill in the house taking advantage of every ray of sunshine.

Mom accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior when she was 10 years old. After she was saved, serving God was a high priority in her live. Mom was well known for her card ministry. You knew it was sent with love and that a lot of time and effort was invested by the number of poems and scripture verses included in the card. She especially enjoyed teaching Sunday School, helping with Bible School and providing treats for the young people. Some of the activities she helped promote included roller skating parties at Lamar, Easter sunrise service and breakfast at Konantz Lake and going to Silver State Youth Camp every summer.

Mom always enjoyed visiting with family and friends – she made lots of popcorn and lemonade after church. Most Sunday afternoons were spent with family and/or friends having lunch either at our house or their house. She was very proud that her children presented her with 16 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren. Her happiest times were when her family was together.

Mom departed this life at Southeast Colorado Hospital in Springfield on February 19, 2012, at the age of 89 years.

She is preceded in death by her husband Leslie, parents, an infant brother, 2 infant daughters, and infant son, daughter Delma Faye Sharpe and son Delmar Ray and several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law. She is survived by son Harley (Thea) Gibson of Walsh, daughters Lorraine (Jerry) Woolley of Lamar, Loretta (Sam) Stoddard of La Junta and son-in-law Dwight Sharpe of Walsh, 16 grandchildren and 44 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren. She is also survived by sisters Vina Jewell (Cotton) Burhenn of Stonington, Edna Mae Herron of Manter, Kansas and brother Richard Webster of Walsh, several other sisters-in-law and a brother-in-law and a host of family and friends.