Edward Nowell Gibbs

Edward served in the Army Air Force in World War II and was MIA and POW after being shot down in Germany. As a veteran, he was a member of the Ex-Prisoners of War, American Legion, and Disabled American Veterans.

A Columbia native and Hickman High School graduate, Edward married his high school sweetheart, Kitty Sue Stewart. They shared a rich life together, raising four children. He worked for the post office and other businesses in Columbia before moving the family to Southern California, where Edward and Kitty Sue founded Gibbs Hardware and Paint. In 1970 they returned to Columbia, where Edward worked for 3M until retiring. In 2006, he married Edy Rodgers, a dear friend to Kitty Sue and Edward since high school. Prior to his passing, Mr. Gibbs was well taken care of and honored at the Mexico Veterans Home.

A man of all trades, Edward Nowell Gibbs pretty much could fix anything. While employed full time at 3M, he worked on his farm, alongside his son Scott. You could always count on Edward to be a good example, to have a quick comeback, a sarcastic remark, and a sweet smile. He was a hard working, fun-loving, honest man, deeply beloved by his family and friends.

He is survived by his wife, Edy, his children Scott Gibbs (Vanette), Merideth Fiore (Joe), all of Columbia, and Linda Wallace (Ronnie) of Ft.Worth, TX., his daughter-in-law Debbie Gibbs, of Utah; Edy’s children Maggy Danley (Dan), Sally Foster (Greg), and Chris Cheavens (Mary), all of Columbia; and 29 grandchildren, and 39 great-grandchildren.

Edward was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Kitty Sue Stewart Gibbs, his son Ned Gibbs, his parents, Edward Fisher (Ned) and Sarah Nowell Gibbs, and his sisters Betty Case, Emily McCaslin and Jane Parker.

Visitation will be 6-8 pm on Wednesday, Sept. 30th, at Memorial Funeral Home. Services will be at 1pm on Thursday, October 1st, at Missouri United Methodist Church located at 204 S Ninth St., preceded by a 12 noon reception with light lunch available for those who wish to come early and visit with Edward’s friends and family. A graveside ceremony with military honors will follow the funeral service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Disabled American Veterans or the Missouri United Methodist Church, Columbia.