This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Gibbens, Burrows, Blackmon, Talafuse, Heidrich, Ross, Maxey, Murry, Amick, Bell, Hamilton, Hazelwood Classification: Obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/plB.2ACI/3726 Message Board Post: Earl Gibbens Jan. 26, 1914 - April 25, 2006 Earl Gibbens, 92, of Sugar Valley passed away Tuesday, April 25, 2006 at his home. He was born January 26, 1914 in Bates, Arkansas to the late Bud and Casey Gibbens. Earl was a lifetime resident of Sugar Valley, a cattleman, and a child of God. He received the Outstanding Community Service Award from the Seabreeze Care Center in April of 2004, The Certificate of Service that God has called him into the Ministry in September of 1999, and The Volunteer of the Year from Bay Villa Healthcare Center in June of 1999. Earl's greatest gift to mankind was his relentless passion for passing on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Survivors include: his wife of 74 Years, Mary Burrows Gibbens; three daughters, Ann Blackmon, Jean Talafuse and Bonnie Heidrich and husband Buddy; one brother, Don Gibbens, 16 grandchildren, Kelly Blackmon Ross, Debbie Gibbens, Paula Blackmon, Ramona Gibbens, Shanda Heidrich Maxey, Stacia Heidrich Murry, Mary Blackmon Amick, Richard Gibbens, Jr., Glenda Backman, Darrel Heidrich, Connie Blackmon, Nora Talafuse, Rocky Gibbens, Vicky Talafuse, Sheryl Bell and Jackie Gibbens; 34 great grandchildren and eight great great grandchildren; also the Rev. Donald and Sarah Reed son and daughter in Christ. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by two sons, Richard and Jack William Gibbens; one granddaughter, Robin Gibbens; two sisters, Gladys Hamilton and Marlene Hazelwood; three brothers, Elbert, Clyde, and Truworth Gibbens. The Family will receive visitors from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 26, 2006 at Taylor Bros. Funeral Home. A Funeral Service will be held 10 a.m. Thursday, April 27, 2006 at the Golden Avenue Baptist Church with the Rev. Donald Reed officiating. Interment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park in Van Vleck. Pallbearers will be Charles Reed, Louis Sloey, Curtis Dykes, Truett Farris, Art Martinez, and Doyle McGehee. Memorials may be made to the Open Door Ministries, P.O. Box 4259, Sargent, TX 77414, Hospice of El Campo, P.O. Box 1417, El Campo, TX 77437, or the youth Fund of Golden Ave. Baptist Church. Arrangements with Taylor Bros. Funeral Home 245-4613. Bay City Tribune Published April 26, 2006 Matagorda County, Texas