Millard Cleveland Gibson

Millard Gibson passed away in the afternoon of January 28, 2025, at the age of 93 in his home in North Tazewell, VA. Born in Cedar, WV on May 28, 1931, he was a beloved husband, devoted father, and cherished grandfather and great-grandfather.

The seventh of eleven children, he came into this world so early that he had to be kept in a make-shift incubator of a dynamite box near the cookstove in his childhood home. That set the tone for the work ethic that he would display for the rest of his life. He retired after 44 years of taking calls day and night in rain and snow as a lineman for Appalachian Power Company. When he wasn’t working, he was busy tending to chickens, beekeeping, training coonhounds, woodworking, gardening, hunting, and fishing. And somewhere in between all of those, he would find time to talk your ear off. It’s not a stretch to say that he was beloved by all who knew him and this kind-hearted and generous man will be sorely missed.

He is preceded in death by his wife Betty Jane (Eastep) Gibson, parents Aaron and Ida Gibson, his sisters Augusta Nunnery, Ethel Simpkins, Bethel Gibson, Alice Faye Kiser, and his brothers, Ernest Gibson, Freeman Gibson, Billy Gibson, Joe Gibson, Irvin Gibson, and Elwood Gibson. 

He is survived by his daughters, Rita Murray and Carolyn Bowen; granddaughters Fame Black and Tiffany Duty; great grandchildren Dylan and Jaydah; Jerry and Aaron Fowler who were like a son and grandson to him and numerous treasured nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held at Cravens-Shires Funeral Home in Bluewell, WV on Monday February 3, 2025 at 2:00 pm with Rev. Ronnie Mullins officiating. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park in Bluewell.

Friends may call prior to services, from 1:00-2:00 PM at the funeral home. 

 In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a donation be made in Millard Gibson’s name to Legacy Hospice in Richlands, whose nurses provided such good care in his final days. Your donation can be mailed to Legacy Hospice, Inc. 1963 Second Street Richlands, VA 24641.