Carolyn M Gibson

Carolyn Miller Gibson passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Thursday, October 14, 2021 at the Presbyterian Kaseman Inpatient Hospice Unit in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where she was lovingly cared for after suffering the complications of a broken hip and Lewy Body Dementia.

Born the fourth child of MZ and Pearl Miller on April 17, 1937 in Chattanooga TN, Carolyn grew up in the Cleveland, TN area. She graduated from Bradley County High School in 1956, where she was the President of the FHA Club and served on the staff for the yearbook. She took the $100 and the suitcase she was given for graduation and set off to Chattanooga to build her adult life. It was there that she met and fell in love John Duncan Gibson Jr. The two were married in Chattanooga on November 15, 1958. Their first daughter, Gwen, was born in Chattanooga and daughter Melanie was born after their move to Decatur, Georgia.

Sadly, in 1968, Gwen tragically died while they were residing in Petersburg, VA. Having also survived the death of her mother when Carolyn was just 12 years old, the reality of such deep and painful grief was something that Carolyn carried with her for a lifetime. These losses made her realize just how precious and fragile life can be, which compelled her to be there for others who were facing death and grief. The losses also propelled her to wrestle with her own understanding of God, which took her theology to new depths and insights that continued to evolve, even in the months prior to her death. She was active in the United Methodist Church throughout her adulthood, cherishing her faith communities and the opportunities to continue to learn and serve.

Professionally, Carolyn was most proud of her career at Arkansas Best Freight in Fort Smith, Arkansas where she meticulously managed the health, welfare and pension accounts for road drivers – to the penny! In her retirement, she and Duncan spent two wonderful years living in Cleveland Tennessee, enjoying their siblings and their families before moving to Roseville, Minnesota to be near their grandchildren. They eventually became part of the Lyngblomsten Senior Care Community where Duncan passed away in 2007. Carolyn continued to live independently in the community enjoying years of activities, arts and lifelong learning, her church community, and very special friends. Knowing her health was starting to decline, Carolyn moved to New Mexico to be with Melanie and husband, Tom Davis, where they resided together in a new home in a 55+ community until the final days of her life.

Carolyn is known for her deep love of people, especially her family and friends, her kindness, generosity, gracious hospitality, thoughtfulness, love of learning, and her ability to think for herself. Sadly, after suffering her injury, she was not able to say goodbye to those she loved so dearly. Please know that you each were precious to her and she sends her love, gratitude and blessings to you for the love and relationships you shared in her life.

Carolyn is preceded in death by husband John Duncan Gibson Jr., daughter Gwen Gibson; parents MZ and Pearl Miller, stepmother Ollie Miller, siblings Celestine Hooper (David Hooper), Betty Bowman and brother-in-law Darrell Hooper; sister-in-laws Barbara (Cecil) Read, Mary Shirley (Nelson) Kriegner, Patricia (Robert) Lee and brother-in-law Bun Gibson and Peggye Raney. She is survived by daughter Melanie Davis (Tom), grandchildren Scott Josephson, Seth Josephson, step grandchildren Christie Davis (Greg Van Horn), John (Carrie) Thompson and step greatgrandchildren Finnegan Van Horn, Madisen Vogel and Elle Vogel, sister Judy Hooper, brother Doug (Mary Lou) Miller, many nephews and nieces, members of the Josephson family, dear friend Richard Woodcock and family, and so many loving friends.

Graveside internment will be Saturday, Dec. 18 at 11:00 AM CST at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Nashville, TN followed by a Celebration of Life for family and invited guests at 12:00 PM CST at the Courtyard by Marriott Banquet Room, 2508 Elm Hill Pike. The Celebration of Life will also be live streamed at 12:00 PM CST, 11:00 AM MTN via Facebook Live and Zoom. To access the link, please register at

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_4GFZn4iOQY-dnE9AMuKOIw

In lieu of flowers, please make a gift in honor of Carolyn to:

Centennial United Methodist Church, 1524 W County Rd C2, Roseville, MN 55113

Roseville, MN https://www.centennialumc.org

The Lyngblomsten Foundation, 1415 Almond Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108 https://www.lyngblomsten.org