Helen Gibson, 89, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma passed away Thursday, March 5, 2020 in Oklahoma City.
She was born April 6, 1930 at the family home to Mickey and Ethyl (Hedrick) Rowe in Paoli, Oklahoma.
Helen lived in the Tupelo/Stonewall, Oklahoma area where she attended grade school through high school. She graduated from Allen, Oklahoma High School.
She met William “Bill” Gibson while in high school and he promised he would come back to get her after WWII was over; and he did. Bill was a pilot in the Pacific theater from 1943-1945 and Helen was very proud of his service. They were married on June 2, 1948 in Grayson County, Texas. He preceded her in death on July 28, 2014.
After WWII and marriage they moved to California for a while and returned to Newalla, Oklahoma in 1954. In 1956 they moved to a farm 10 miles west of Shawnee where they raised horses, cows, chickens and an occasional pig. Bill also worked at Tinker Air Force Base as an engine mechanic until his retirement in the 1970’s. After retirement Helen and Bill continue to run a few head of cattle over the years. After Bill’s passing in 2014, Helen continued to live on the family farm until 2016 when she moved in with her son and daughter-in-law, John and Dianne.
Helen was a mother and housewife until later in life, when she decided to attend beauty school. After she earned her beauty license she became an instructor at the same school she attended and eventually managed the school for many years.
She was a member of Hopewell Baptist Church in Shawnee and later Emmanuel Baptist Church of McLoud. Helen was a big fan of OU Football, Cardinal Baseball, and OKC Thunder Basketball. She enjoyed quilting, sewing, crocheting and fishing.
She was preceded in death by her husband, William “Bill” Gibson; her parents, Mickey and Ethyl Rowe; and her siblings, Mickey L. Rowe, Jr and Albert Rowe.
Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, John and Dianne Gibson of Oklahoma City, OK; grandson, Caleb Gibson of Oklahoma City, OK; sister, Dois Harbeson of Lone Grove, OK; and many nieces, nephews and other extended family and friends.
The family gives a special thank you to management and staff of Crystal Place Center and Humanity Hospice for their care and compassion.
Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday, March 9, 2020 and continue through service time. Service will be 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, March 10, 2020 at Cooper Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend James Bond officiating. Burial will follow at Tecumseh Cemetery under the direction of Cooper Funeral Home of Tecumseh.