VALDA M. GIBBS

Valda M. Gibbs, 84, passed away on Wednesday, November 3, 2010 at a Sage Crest Alzheimer'™s Center. Valda was born on December 6, 1925 in Denton, Texas to George and Grace Purviance. Visitation will be Friday until 8:00 pm. Graveside services will be Saturday November 6, 2010 at 1:00 pm at Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens with Wes Wells officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Robert Massie Funeral Home. Valda met her love, Robert L. Gibbs, and they married on May 3, 1944 in San Angelo, Texas and she has lived here ever since. Her husband Robert passed away on January 18, 2001. A career mother of four, her home was a haven for children of all ages. After raising her family, she worked in the dental offices of Dr. Harry Blanek and Dr. Carter Martin. Valda then embarked on a college degree in 1978, graduating from ASU with two degrees both of which she had a passion for; Art and the Spanish language. After graduating she went to work for the State of Texas in the Food Stamp program. Wanting to try something new, she opened a dress store called Valda'™s where she worked until her retirement. She loved to travel and spent a great deal of time in the interior of Mexico, a culture that she loved. She had many artistic talents of different forms. Valda is preceded in death by her husband, Robert L Gibbs; her parents, George Purviance and Grace Switzer Hicks; sister & brother-in-law, Monette and Tommy Brown; in-laws, Leon and Lelia Jo Gibbs; sister-in-law, Jo Alice Gibbs Thompson; brother-in-law Jimmy and wife Payne Gibbs. She is survived by her daughter, Joy Thomas and husband Michael; son, Bobby Gibbs; son, Glen Gibbs and wife Amy; and daughter, Marsha Hamlin. She is also survived by grandchildren, Joell Baker and husband Eric; Josh Hamlin; Dona Cooter and husband Michael; Erica Carter and husband Shaun. Great Grandchildren, Weston Walcott, Elise Baker, Conlie Carter, Josh, Alex and Marissa Cooter. The family cannot adequately thank the loving staff and administration of Sage Crest for their dedicated care of Valda for the past seven years. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorials be made to Sage Crest Alzheimer'™s Center at 438 Houston Hart Expway , San Angelo, Texas 76903. Valda'™s obituary and guest book may be viewed online at www.robertmassie.com. I am home in heaven, dear ones; Oh, so happy and so bright! There is perfect joy and beauty In this everlasting light. All the pain and grief is over, Every restless tossing passed; I am now at peace for ever, Safely home in Heaven at last. Did you wonder I so calmly Trod the valley of the shade? Oh! But Jesus love illumined Every dark and fearful glade. And He came Himself to me In that way so hard to tread; And with Jesus'™ arm to lean on, Could I have no doubt or dread? Then you must not grieve so sorely, For I love you dearly still; Try to look beyond earth'™s shadows, Pray to trust our Father'™s Will. There is work still waiting for you, So you must not idly stand; Do it now, while life remaineth- You shall rest in Jesus'™s land. When that work is all completed, He will gently call you Home; Oh, the rapture of that meeting, Oh, the joy to see you come! Thank You Mom, for the beautiful memories of a life well lived. You loving family.