Joanna Hopkins Gibbs

Joanna Hopkins Gibbs, loving wife and mother of six, died April 16 at 95 years old in her Reidsville home.

She was born in Charlotte on August 29, 1929, to the late Nixon and Bessie Blalock Hopkins.

After graduating from Charlotte Technical High, she completed a commercial course at UNC-G, then the Woman’s College of the University of North Carolina. She has lived in Reidsville since 1956.

Her mother always told her to look for her husband in church, and that’s where she met Gene Gibbs. They were married in that same Charlotte church, Dilworth Methodist, in 1955.

Her husband was an airline transport pilot for Piedmont Airlines, and his work left the bulk of raising their six children to her.

Joanna’s role as homemaker was very important to her. She was renowned for hosting her large extended family and for her cooking. Among her children’s favorites: her Greek salad at a time when feta cheese was not available in Reidsville, chocolate souffle, and red velvet cake. Even at 95, she continued to play the piano in her home.

She was a longtime member of Salem United Methodist and then Main Street United Methodist Church, where she sang in the choir and was a member of the handbell choir. She was a member of the Flora Garden Club, serving two terms as president, a member of the Williamsburg Extension Club, and the Federated Woman’s Club of Reidsville. Joanna was a volunteer for Annie Penn Memorial Hospital for 38 years. And with all those kids, she was a tireless PTA member, homeroom mother and Brownie leader.

She was a retired real estate agent and retired elections chief judge of Reidsville precinct #4.

Joanna was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Naoma Hopkins Lynch; her husband of 37 years, Eugene Gibbs; her fourth child, Mark Hopkins Gibbs, and her grandson, Mackenzie Gibbs.

She is survived by her daughters, Lisa Provence of Charlottesville, Virginia, Janet Gibbs of Eden, and Nancy Sodano (Marc) of Holly Springs, and her sons Daryl Gibbs (Emily) of Inman, South Carolina, and Michael Gibbs of Greensboro, and daughter-in-law Tracy Gibbs.

Her survivors also include nine grandchildren: Amy Elsherif (Kerim) of Charlotte, Chris Gibbs (Anne) of Englewood, Colorado, Sydney Provence of Seattle, Ross Provence of Charlottesville, Justin Gibbs of Ruffin, Julian Sodano of Cary, Christian Sodano of Chapel Hill, Gene and Cameron Gibbs of Boone, and three great-grandchildren.

The family wishes to extend special thanks to her caregivers: Lovica Wade, Deborah Williams, John Pierce, Priscilla Herndon, Sherry Fitzgerald and Brenda Stewart.

Funeral services will be held 2pm Saturday, April 19, at Main Street United Methodist Church. Burial will follow at Reidlawn Cemetery. Friends are invited to visit with the family starting at 1pm at the Main Street Fellowship Hall.

Memorials may be sent to Main Street United Methodist Church, 221 S. Main Street, Reidsville, NC 27320, or to the charity of your choice.