Obituary of Benjamin Tillman Gibbs

Funeral services for Benjamin Tillman Gibbs, age 86, of Ranburne will be held on Saturday, February 1, 2020, at 1:00 PM CST at Benefield Funeral Chapel at 17624 Highway 431, Wedowee, AL 36278 with Bro. Couch Whitley officiating and Terry Gibbs delivering the eulogy. A committal service will follow at Macedonia Baptist Church Cemetery at 3:00 PM CST in Ranburne. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 4:00-7:00 PM CST on Friday, January 31, 2020. Mr. Gibbs passed away Tuesday, January 28, 2020, at The Oaks in Carrollton, Georgia. Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Eudell Gibbs of Ranburne; three daughters, Jeanene House (Dennis) of Waco, GA, Melba Haynes and Teresa Smith, both of Ranburne; two sons, Randy Gibbs (Tammy) of Roanoke and Daryl Gibbs (Paula) of Ranburne; ten grandchildren, Kristin Cummings (Russ), Nathan Smith (Kristie), Courtney Weldon (Scott McGuire), Austin Smith (Taylor), Joseph Gibbs (Jessica Jacobs), Megan Oliver (Josh), Kaci Clifton (Kyle), Spencer Gibbs (Brooke Forsyth), Caleb House, and Dalton Gibbs (Marlie Alewine); six great-grandchildren, Gabriel Smith, Drew Cummings, Everleigh Oliver, Kara Grace Clifton, Skip Oliver, Maverick McGuire, and one on the way, Baby Smith due in April; one brother, Bill Gibbs (Katherine) of Ranburne; and one brother-in-law, Pete Bradbary of Ranburne. Pallbearers will be grandsons and their spouses, Nathan Smith, Austin Smith, Joseph Gibbs, Caleb House, Spencer Gibbs, and Dalton Gibbs. Honorary pallbearers will be granddaughters and their spouses, Kristin Cummings, Courtney Weldon, Megan Oliver, and Kaci Clifton. A Ranburne native, Mr. Gibbs was born on February 11, 1933, the son of Walter Newton and Minnie Pearl McElroy Gibbs. He was a United States Army veteran of the Korean conflict and worked as a machinist at Southern Can Company and Douglas & Lomason Company. After retirement, Mr. Gibbs went to work doing what he loved, spending his time as a chicken and cattle farmer. He was a member of the FFA in high school where he won the National Farm Electrification contest, a member of the Alabama Cattleman’s Association and the Alabama Poultry and Egg Association, and a stockholder of the Ranburne Livestock Sales. Mr. Gibbs was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Helen Pullen and Jayne Gibbs; two infant sisters; four brothers, Junior Gibbs, Stanley Gibbs, George Gibbs, and Charles Ray Gibbs; three sons-in-law, Davey Weldon, Ronnie Wood, and Mike Haynes; and two great-grandchildren, Ansley Larae Cummings and John Grayson Cummings. The family will accept floral stands (no potted plants please) but suggest donations to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America at 322 Eighth Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10001. Online condolences may be expressed at www.benefieldfhwedowee.com or www.quattlebaumfuneralhome.com.