Bonnie S Gibson

Bonnie S. Gibson was the only child of L. Hadley and Mary M. Johnson. She was born in the bootheel of Missouri in 1938, and with the exception of moves to Michigan and California, she spent the majority of her childhood in the small town of Bernie, Missouri. Bonnie met the love of her life, Harold Dean Gibson, during her school years in Bernie. They were married October 14, 1961, and she became a widow on September 22, 1988.

During their marriage they had two children, Tracy Roxanne and Dean Hadley. She lost her son in October, 2013. Bonnie leaves behind Tracy, her “favorite son-in-law” Greg Ahlert, their son Rincon Hadley, and Dean’s daughter, Lillie Gibson. She also leaves behind her very best friend of 70 years, Ann Knipling.

During retirement, Bonnie enjoyed starting each day whipping through the morning crossword puzzle, sometimes continuing with a Silver Sneakers workout, meeting with the ‘lunch bunch’, or attending the Whirlpool retirees luncheon; she worked in human resources at Whirlpool Corporation for almost two decades. Occasionally she and Tracy would have recreational shopping adventures. Bonnie liked Italian food, helping people that helped themselves, and discussing politics and religion. She was on the Board of the Friends of the Fort Smith Public Library and a past member of the Board of the Sebastian County Humane Society. Bonnie had a number of rotating charities that she contributed to monthly. She also gave generously to families in need that she encountered as a result of relationships with loved ones.

Bonnie was a lifelong, avid reader; loved the theatre; and had a fun time going to movies with her girlfriends. She loved to travel and some of her favorite trips included a 60th birthday celebration to Italy with Ann, a Mexican beach vacation with Harold, birthday celebrations in New York City with Tracy, and trips to the beach with her grandchildren.

Bonnie died comfortably and peacefully at home on March, 23rd. Tracy was with her. The family would like to express gratitude to Michelle Holland with Mercy Hospice for ensuring that Bonnie’s last days were about living. Praise is given for the gifted journey of these past months.

A reception to celebrate Bonnie’s life will be held on her birthday this Thursday, April 2, at Beland Manor from 5:30-8:00 pm. Tracy will later take the cremated remains of her brother and mother home to Missouri and exchange stories with Bonnie’s lifelong friends.

Bonnie told Tracy numerous times that as the family moved from state to state due to Harold’s job with ABF, the first thing she would locate in each city was a dentist for the kids and the local library; she took her children to the library on a weekly basis and later took her grandchildren to many events at the Fort Smith Public Libraries. It is therefore requested that any desired, local memorial contributions be made to the Friends of the Library, Inc., 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Arkansas 72903. Non-local memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, PO Box 1893, Memphis, Tennessee 38101-9950; tribute#: 37995626.

“The life of the dead is placed in the memories of the living. The love you gave in life keeps people alive beyond their time. Anyone who was given love will always live on in another’s heart”-----Marcus Tullius Cicero

Arrangements are under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.

To sign an online guestbook, visit www.edwardsfuneralhome.com.