GIBBS, Kathryn Mrs. Kathryn Cates Gibbs was born in Ellenwood, Georgia on October 6, 1932 and spent most of her life in Clayton County. She was a product of the Clayton County School system from which she graduated at the age of 15 with a record of perfect attendance. In 1951, she married Robert C. Gibbs and they had a very successful marriage. Kathryn passed away on December 23, 2008. In the early 1950's, a great attorney by the name of Lee Hutcheson asked her to work in his law office in Jonesboro. After having worked several years with Lee, he encouraged Kathryn to take the State Bar Exam and, as he put it,"continue to practice with him."She worked in the legal field for 11 years and also attended Atlanta Law School. In 1972, she decided to seek the office of Probate Judge of Clayton County to which she was elected for a 4-year term. She was re-elected in 1976 and 1980. During this period of time, she was judged well by her peers as she received numerous awards including having been named "Woman of Achievement" by the Metropolitan Council of Business and Professional Women in 1974. The Clayton County Chamber of Commerce named Kathryn as "Citizen of the Year" in the field of Government in 1974. Kathryn was twice elected to serve as President of the County Officers Association of Georgia in 1980 and 1981. She was privileged to serve the two terms in this organization, which included Probate Judges, Clerks of Superior Courts, Tax Commissioners and Sheriffs. Kathryn was the recipient of the Clayton County Bar Association's Liberty Bell Award in 1989 in recognition for her outstanding service as a Probate Judge. Subsequent to her registration as Probate Judge in1983, she accepted an appointment to serve as Chief Registrar of Voter Registration in Clayton County and later continued to serve on the Board of Registrars. Kathryn was a member of the First Christian Church of Jonesboro for 47 years. She loved the Lord, her family and her many friends. She enjoyed traveling and playing dominos. Kathryn was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Robert (Bobby) Gibbs; three sons and their wives, Darrell and Debbie Gibbs, Jonesboro, GA., Dennis and Cindy Gibbs, St. Cloud, Fla., Brian and Donna Gibbs, McDonough, Ga.; seven grandchildren, Katy Edgington, Brent Gibbs, Jennifer May, Ben Gibbs, Jordan Gibbs, Holly Gibbs and Andrew Gibbs; three great-grandchildren, Mason May, Shyeanna Edgington, and Carter Gibbs. Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 27, 2008 at 11am at First Christian Church of Jonesboro. Pastors Wade Hall and Mike Portwood will officiate. Interment Sherwood Memorial Park. The family will receive friends Friday, December 26, 2008 from 6 to 8 PM at the funeral home. Flowers accepted or make contributions to: The Children's Village at Christian City, 7501 Red Oak Road, Union City, GA 30291. Ford-Stewart Funeral Home, Inc., Jonesboro/Stockbridge 770-210-2700 www.fordstewartfuneralhome.com Published in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on December 25, 2008
Added by Shirley Carson Catlin on Dec 14, 2009 1:26 PM