Ethel Ellis Gibson

October 24, 1927 - November 15, 2019

Ethel Ellis Gibson passed away on November 15, 2019, she was 92. Ethel is the daughter of Ethel Ellis and George Calvin Gibson and grew up in Bessemer, Alabama. She is predeceased by her parents and her two brothers, George Calvin Gibson, Jr. and James Thomas Gibson. She graduated from Bessemer High School and attended Huntingdon College, obtaining her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1949. After graduation she served as Director of Education at First Methodist Church in Lake Wales Florida and then Dexter Avenue Methodist Church in Montgomery. Returning to Birmingham in 1956, she became Executive Director of the YWCA, a position she held until her retirement in 1979. Always active, she embraced retirement by traveling and spending time with family and friends before she embarked on another 10-year career at the recommendation of one of the Y’s board members. She was a lifelong member of First Church Birmingham and continued to contribute to her church and community for many years. She moved to Galleria Retirement Community in 2003 and remained there until recently. She spent her final days at St. Martin’s in the Pines. She is survived by Kathy Wales and Jennifer Wales of Birmingham, Jeff, Mary Brice, and Grace Wales of Asheville, North Carolina as well as her sister in law, Kathryn A. Gibson. A memorial service to celebrate her life is planned for 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, November 26 at First Church Birmingham, 518 19th Street North, 35203. The family suggests donations in lieu of flowers may be made to First Church.