Mary Olive GIBBS

John
27 Jan 1892 - 8 Jul 1934
Son of William Henry Gibbs & Sarah Jane "Jennie" Cochran

married 2 Oct 1917

Olive
22 Dec 1895 - 26 Jan 1979
Daughter of George Washington Maples & Sarah Jane Thomas

John Gibbs drowns Sunday. While in swimming with his three sons, father meets tragic death in Finley River, just below Hawkins Mill, small son has narrow escape. John Gibbs, day laborer, who lived northeast of Ozark, was drowned Sunday afternoon about 3:30 o’clock and his small son, Theodore had a narrow escape from a like fate. Gibbs and his three sons were swimming in the “Blue Hole”, just below the Hawkins Mill. The father was playing in the water with Theodore on his back, apparently seized with the cramps. Screams from the other boys and Theodore attracted the attention of H.W. Templeton and Frank Bray, who live in the house on the hill, just east of the highway about 200 yards from the scene of the tragedy. They raced to the scene and immediately discovered the trouble. Frank dived into the water and rescued Theodore, who was going down for the third time. As soon as he had deposited Theodore on the bank, Frank again took to the water in an effort to find the body of Gibbs, which had failed to rise after one going under. In the deep water he located the body and brought it to shore. In the meantime those who had arrived on the scene worked with Theodore and restored him to life but all like efforts on Gibbs failed. A pulmoter was called from Springfield which was met on top of the Harper Hill by the ambulance which had started to Springfield with Gibbs. The instrument was applied to Gibbs where the cars met, but it was of no avail. Gibbs is survived by the widow and six children. He was a hard-working day laborer, having been employed on much of the work about the city and on the highway. His death is indeed a great shock to the entire community and a tragedy for his family.

John Robert Gibbs was born on Jan. 28, 1893 and died on July 8, 1934, aged 41 years, 5 months and 10 days. He was united in marriage on June 3, 1917 to Olive Maples. To this union eight children were born, two of whom have preceded him in death. He is survived by the widow and six children, his father, W.H. Gibbs, the mother, Mrs. Jennie Gibbs, two brothers, George of Highlandville, Jessie of Kansas City, one sister, Mrs. Fannie Logan of Billings and a host of other friends and relatives. He was a kind father and husband, always very considerate of his family. His quiet and kindly disposition made him many friends. He was honest and hard working provider. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Funeral services were held at 2 o’clock Tuesday afternoon at the Ozark Baptist church with Rev. Ross Carter officiating. Burial was made in the Highlandville cemetery under the direction of Wilburn Maples of Clever.

Services for Mrs. Mary Olive Gibbs, 83 formerly of Ozark, were held Tuesday in the First Baptist Church here with the Rev. Bob Shank officiating. Burial was in Highlandville Cemetery under the direction of Adams of Ozark. Mrs. Gibbs died Friday in Beverly Manor Convalescent Home, Van Nuys, Calif. where she had been a patient for some time. She was a member of the Ozark Baptist Church. Surviving are four sons. Jesse and Earl, both of Van Nuys, John of Munster, Ind. and Forrest, Alhambra, Calif.; two daughters, Miss Verna Gibbs, Marionville and Mrs. Jane Johnston, Atwater, Calif.; one brother, Jesse Maples, Harrah, Okla.; and two sister, Mrs. Ethel Clinton, Ozark and Mrs. Clora Martin, Springfield; 15 grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Contributed on 3/15/14 by refwallace
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Record #: 748846

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