Barbara Gibson

Barbara Gibson was born June 7, 1940 in Peoria, Illinois to Bud and Dorothy Ewing. She married William John “Bill” Gibson January 4, 1962. Together they built a family to include William Jay, Karen Suzanne and Russell Fredrick.

In 1980 the family was moved to Fort Smith, Arkansas when Hiram Walker Distillery relocated to the city. Bill retired and together they enjoyed their family and watched it expand. They were active in their church, Our Redeemer Lutheran, where Barbara served in children’s ministries and many other roles. Barbara’s greatest treasure on earth was her family. She always wanted to be a part of everyone’s lives and …… She always looked forward to family get-togethers whether it was Sunday dinners or holiday parties. She didn’t want to miss a memory.

Barbara was proceeded in death by her son, William Jay; granddaughter, Julianna Nicole; and her husband, William John.

She is survived by two of her children, Pete and Karen Joiner and Russell Gibson. She also leaves behind her grandchildren: Jayme and Cody Copher, Travis and Amy Joiner, Michael and Ginger Joiner, Ashleigh and William Buckley, Lauren and Jeff Gould, Matt Gibson, and Evan Gibson. She was blessed to be surrounded by great-grandchildren Natalie, Avery and Lily Copher; Maddy and Mason Joiner; Haden Judkins, Tucker and Berkley Thompson, Caroline Joiner; Will and Ben Buckley, Scottie and Isla Gould; and Aspen Gibson. She was so excitedly looking forward to her first great-great-granddaughter, who is due any day.

Memorial service will be at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church Thursday, August 14, 2025 at 10:00 am.

Above all, Barbara wanted her death to be her final opportunity to share her faith, a faith that sustained her in life and in death. Ephesians 2:8-10 “8 For it is by grace you have been saved,through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”