Obituary of Doris Jean Gibson

Doris Jean Self Gibson, 95, of Doniphan, MO, passed away Sunday, January 19, 2025, peacefully at home surrounded by her daughters.

Doris was born, October 2, 1929, in St. Louis, MO, to the late Clarence Logan Self and Esther Viola Westbrook Self.  She graduated high school in 1947 from Doniphan High School.  She met and married her sweetheart of 68 years, Chester Ordell Gibson, on September 27, 1952, in Doniphan, MO.  Together they raised two daughters, Joan and Virginia.  Doris was devoted to her family, farm, church, and community.  She was a charter member of Emmanuel Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday School, was a choir member, Financial Secretary, and was still the pianist. Doris was a filing clerk at Union Electric in St. Louis, MO, taught school for eleven years in Ripley County and substituted, Executive Secretary for Selective Service System for 16 years, and retired from the VA Medical Center as a Purchasing Agent after 17 years.

Doris was an active member of Eastern Star, Chapter #288OES, where she was the Pianist and Officer.  She was looking forward to receiving her 75-year pin this spring.  She was also a Missouri Extension member FCE72 for 68 years.   She served as an election officer at voting precincts and was a Historical Society member. She also volunteered at the DNAP Gift Shop and Friends of the Library.   In her free time, Doris enjoyed travelling, boating, and taking care of Ordell and his cows.  She loved Siamese cats and English Shepherd dogs.  Her hobbies were playing the piano, sewing, quilting, gardening, reading, collecting depression glass, eye cups, thimbles, and light houses.  She also enjoyed spending time with family members and all the grandchildren.

Survivors include her two daughters, Joan (Bruce) Lowery of Doniphan, MO and Virginia (Richard) Campbell of Hernando, MS; one sister, Dorothy Virginia Meiners of Kansas City, MO; sixteen grandchildren, Cammi (Greg) Pierce, Bob, Natalie, Lisa, Daryl, Octavia, Keshia, Davy, Wade (Madi), Shawn, Rashawn and Jordan Lowery, Ryan (Ashley) Crihfield, Evan (Hannah) Campbell, Layci (Michael) Darby, and Payton (Erica) Campbell; and nineteen great-grandchildren with two additions coming soon.  She also has three great-great-grandchildren as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Doris was preceded in death by her husband, Ordell; parents; one sister, Dellalou (Lloyd) Roberts; one infant brother, Ernst; brother-in-law, Raymond Meiners; and one grandson, Cody Lowery.

Doris’ grandsons are honored to serve as pallbearers and nephew as honorary pallbearer. 

Visitation will be held Friday, January 31, 2025, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm with an Eastern Star Service to follow from 7:00 to 8:00 PM at Edward’s Funeral Home.  Funeral Services will be Saturday, February 1, 2025, at 10:00 AM at Emmanuel Baptist Church with Justin Francis and Luther Abbott officiating.  Burial will follow in the Doniphan Cemetery.