Stella Gibson

Stella Irene Eades Gibson passed away after a brief illness on February 15, 2023. Born May 1, 1943, she lived a creative, active, and interesting life full of love, teaching, and taking care of others. She had several professional pursuits, but the two that she loved the most was her work in the photography and development field, and her career as an educator, from which she retired 8 years ago. She never tired of creating, making, and helping any and all who showed an interest. She was a member of several arts organizations, and held several degrees including two Masters, one in fine art, and another in special education. She was a member of St. Andrews Catholic church in Roanoke, VA. Stella was devoted to family, both by relation, and by circumstance and proximity. She would take care of and nurture any and all around her without question. She was a passionate, creative, and even experimental cook and baker, happy to share all of the fruits of those labors. She was an artist of many stripes, but her main media were painting and quilting. She was very active, and extremely independent up until the end, including an almost religious walking routine with dear friends. Throughout her life, she grew a network of friends and neighbors who were happily with her both throughout, and until the unexpected completion of a beautiful life well lived.

Stella was preceded in death by her loving husband, Loring L. Gibson, her parents Sam and Catherine Eades, and her sister Olympia Bivens. She is survived by her son Mark and his fiance Stephanie Hallis, Loring and his wife, Anngela, grandson Alex, and her siblings and their spouses, Walter, Helen and Carl Wagner, Tom and Donna, David and Julie, Kevin, Stephanie and Bob Chumbly, and Kerstin Lashley, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. There will be a memorial service at Lotz Funeral Home and Chapel in Vinton VA at 11 am, Friday, February 24, and a graveside service to follow at St. Andrews Cemetery in Roanoke VA at 1pm. In lieu of flowers, we ask that any who would like to remember her, do so by contributing to any arts, creative, educational, or philanthropic organization they hold dear in her honor

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