This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Gibson, Sparks Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/5AB.2ACE/3131 Message Board Post: February 14, 2006 Hamilton Journal-News, Hamilton, Ohio GIBSON, Eva Joan Age 54, "Joni" to those who knew and loved her best, recently succumbed to her long battle with heart disease and lung cancer. Joni was called to Heaven to be with her Lord on Saturday, February 11, 2006 at 9:10PM. She was born in the city of McKee, Kentucky in Jackson County, where she attended the public schools and was a member of the McKee High School cheerleading squad. Joni is survived by her husband of 25 years, John Fee Gibson of Hamilton; a daughter, Aneesa K. Barnes of Seven Mile; one grandson, Austin Barnes of Seven Mile; one son, Stephen Paul Hurst of Hamilton; two sisters, Mrs. Jean (Hiram) McQueen of McKee and Mrs. Judy (Darrel) Turner of Woodsdale, Ohio; one brother, Hershell Wayne Sparks of Richmond, Kentucky; and many uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, and friends. Joni was preceded in death by her parents, Hubert and Jalie (Lainheart) Sparks. Joni's father was a coal miner by trade and was disabled due to an accidental "roof fall" which occurred deep in one of the mines where he was employed at about the time of Joni's birth, which was September 15, 1951. Joni was the typical "coal miner's daughter," and was very proud of this heritage. She also had seven deceased siblings, Rosemary Sparks, Edna Sparks, Melva Sparks, Cecil Sparks, Hansel Sparks, Eudell Tillery, and Joseph L. Sparks. The Gibsons retired in 1991 to Jarvis, Kentucky, a small community eight miles north of the city of Barbourville, along the original Wilderness Road where Mr. Gibson had been born and raised. Their main objective there, nestled among the foothills of the serene and peaceful Appalachian Mountains, was to be good neighbors and to serve God and their fellow man to the best of their ability. Mr. and Mrs. Gibson became activ! e members of the New Bethel Baptist Church located at Cranes Nest, Kentucky where Joni dedicated much of her free time and worked diligently in the Vacation Bible School programs. In July, 2004 the Gibsons found it necessary to return to the tri-state area, where medical treatment and facilities for Joni's illness were more readily available. Since her return to Hamilton, Joni had attended the Fellowship Christian Center (Brother Paul Marcum, Pastor) BROWN DAWSON FUNERAL 330 PERSHING AVE HAMILTON OH 45011