Jo Gibson

Jo Chapman Gibson, 93, of the Appalachian Christian Village, Johnson City, died Friday, October 13, 2006 at Takoma Adventist Hospital in Greeneville. She was a native of Washington County but resided from time to time in various parts of the United States primarily Washington D. C. Mrs. Gibson was the daughter of the late William J. and Lillie Wiseman Chapman. She was preceded in death by her husband, R. Desmond Gibson, three brothers, and three sisters. She is survived by several nieces and nephews and their families. She belonged to Salem Presbyterian Church, Washington College and was active in it for many years. She led the effort and was instrumental in having the church building placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992. Her research in this endeavor led to the publishing of a booklet, Salem Presbyterian Church. She was a graduate of Washington College Academy. She received a B. A. degree in Health and Physical Education from East Tennessee State University in 1934, a Master?s degree from George Peabody College for Teacher?s, Nashville, in 1941 and was the recipient of a two year teaching fellowship at Columbia University Teacher?s College in New York City in 1950 where she was a doctoral candidate. Her career spanned five years as an elementary teacher, thirteen years of teaching at the college level, seventeen years as an Exercise Instructor with the Elizabeth Arden Company and five years as an editorial assistant with the U.S. News and World Report in Washington DC. She was active in a number of professional organizations throughout her lifetime, including the Tennessee Education Association, the National Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation, the American Association of University Women, the Business and Professional Women?s Club, as well as many local clubs in the communities wherever she resided. After cremation, graveside services will be held at Dundonald Cemetery, Belfast Northern Ireland where she will be interred in the Gibson family plot. At the request of Mrs. Gibson there will be no calling hours or memorial service. For those who prefer, memorial contributions may be made to Salem Cemetery Fund, c/o Richard Dohono, P. O. Box 95, Limestone, TN 37681.