Ralph Gibson

Ralph Eugene Gibson, 83, a resident of The Villages in Lady Lake, Florida since 1989, passed peacefully on Sunday, September 4, 2016. Ralph was the son of James and Bertie Gibson and grew up in Spartanburg, SC and attended Spartanburg High School. He married Varnette Smith, also of Spartanburg, daughter of Marvin Smith. They were happily married 63 years. Varnette is a resident of The Villages in Florida. Ralph was a 30 year Army veteran, serving in Vietnam with field hospital units, he saw action in multiple conflicts with the 82nd Airborne and the 18th Airborne Corps. He received many Army distinctions achieving the rank of Sgt. Major and was voted the Army's "NCO of the Year". An accomplished amateur golfer, Ralph enjoyed pool and was an avid sports fan. In addition to his wife, Ralph is survived by his son, Stephen Gibson of Media, PA; his daughter, Terry Kressin of Clarksville, TN; his sister, Sarah Mickey of Baltimore, MD; four grandchildren, Stephanie Geery of Cadiz, KY, Kimberly LaPorte of Wake Forest, NC, Aaron Gibson of Hammond, IN, and Stacy Rebensdorf of Tacoma, WA; as well as five great-grandchildren. Ralph was predeceased by his brothers, Bobby Gibson and Ed Bryant of Spartanburg, SC, brother, Joe Davis and sister, Mary Couch, both of Ware Shoals, SC. The family will receive friends 4:00-7:00 PM Friday, September 9, 2016, at Floyd's North Church Street Chapel, 235 N. Church St., Spartanburg, SC 29306. A graveside service, with military rites, will be conducted at 11:00 AM Saturday, September 10, 2016, in Sunset Memorial Park, 1955 Cannons Campground Rd., Spartanburg, SC 29307. A memorial gift in Ralph's honor may be made to Cornerstone Hospice in The Villages: Cornerstone Hospice Foundation, 2445 Lane Park Road, Tavares, FL 32778 online at https://donate.cshospice.org/. Floyd's North Church Street Chapel To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Ralph Eugene Gibson please visit our Sympathy Store.