Gene Toland Gibson

Gene Toland Gibson, age 88, of Little Rock and formerly of Dermott, died Wednesday, December 1, 2010. She was born in Nashville, Arkansas. Her parents were Butler Bell Toland and Brooks Young Toland. Her paternal grandparents were Dr. William Howard Toland and America Francis Compton Toland of Nashville and Eugene Randolph Young (her namesake) and Virgie Beatty Young of Little Rock. Gene's parents met and were married while attending Ouachita University. Gene Gibson graduated in 1940 from Little Rock High School, which had the largest enrollment nationally. She then graduated in three years with a four year B.S. degree from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, where she was a Chi Omega. She was a cheerleader in each of her years at Little Rock High School and the University. Gene was also a ballerina of note. Gene Gibson wed the late Robert Bynum Gibson, Sr. in San Diego following his WWII service as a navy pilot in the Pacific. They made their home in Dermott, a town she loved and in which she raised her family. She wants to only be remembered as a devoted Mother, a long time Sunday School teacher at the Dermott United Methodist Church and church worker, a scout leader, a concession stand worker and PTA president. She, like other Dermott women, took their turn at many civic jobs. She said raising her family in Dermott taught her so much. Gene said Dermott women were the best cooks and sharpest bridge players. Her long time duplicate partner and friend was Beulah Pinkus. Gene was also a good business woman and ran her timber farm in Howard County as well as the Gibson Limited Partnership, a family farming operation. Gene Toland Gibson was predeceased by a son, Sam Toland Gibson on July 23, 1983, and her husband Robert Bynum Gibson Sr., on December 17, 1996, as well as a sister, Brooks Franklin on September 14, 1993. She is survived by a son, Robert Bynum Gibson Jr., of Monticello and his former wife Dede Gibson, and a daughter Brooks Gibson Wolfe and her husband Townsend Wolfe of Little Rock, and a brother, Col. Butler Bell Toland of San Antonio, Texas She is also survived by two devoted grandsons, Robert Bynum Gibson, III, his wife Macy of Crossett and Lt. Clay DeWoody Gibson, stationed near Kabul, Afghanistan. Gene and Robert half-raised Robert and Clay and both men are and were devoted to both their grandparents. Funeral services will be held at Dermott United Methodist Church, on Saturday, December 4, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. followed by a graveside service at Dermott Cemetery In accordance with Gene Gibson's wishes, both services will be brief. Arrangements by Ruebel Funeral Home. www.ruebelfuneralhome.com. Memorials may be made to the Presbyterian Home for Children, 745 Old Warren Rd., Monticello, Ark. 71655-9713 or any charity of your choice. A reception and visitation will be held Friday, December 3, 2010 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Brooks and Townsend Wolfe's home, 600 N. Martin St., Little Rock.