FOLKSTON — George Russell Gibson, 78 of Folkston, passed away Sunday, June 11, 2023, at Satilla Hospice House in Waycross.
Gibson was born July 4, 1944, in Folkston to the late Glenn Charles and Julia Dixon Gibson. He was the second of six children, and lived at the Gibson Family Homestead his entire life.
Gibson graduated from Charlton County High School, Class of 1962, and attended Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton and then the University of Georgia where he earned his BSA degree.
He worked at Union Camp Corporation in inventory management, and later with his brother-in-law, Gary Gowen, at Gowen Kennels & Fox Pens.
The great passions of Gibson’s life were his large family connections, his church, and his prized chickens. He loved chickens as a small child and later turned this passion into a business of selling eggs. Gibson furnished eggs to the Inn of Folkston since its inception.
He was a member of the local Saddle Club and owned a prize-winning horse, Sunny. During the 1980s, Gibson also sponsored a softball team — George’s Chicks — that captured regional championships.
He faithfully served his church, most recently as secretary and treasurer of Masters Men.
Gibson is survived by his sisters, Glenda Gibson Gowen (Gary) of Folkston, Annette Gibson Crofts (John) of Summerville, S.C., and Sarah Gibson Tillman (Tommy) of Folkston; two brothers, Walter Gibson (Dale) of Statesboro and Harry Gibson of Roswell, Ga.; nine nieces and nephews, including David Gowen (Ali) of Cumming, Ga., Susan Gowen McKnight (Paul) of Duluth, Ga., Alison Gibson Jacowitz (Brian) of Cumming, Stephen Gowen (Jamie) of Duluth, Ga., Kristopher Tillman of Folkston, Mitchell Crofts (Athena) of Charleston, S.C., Chandler Crofts (Amy) of Fort Mill, S.C., Charles Gibson (Katie) of Marietta, Ga., and Gina Gibson Richardson (Jeff) of Statesboro; 18 great nieces and nephews; as well as many cousins and extended family members.
A funeral services will be held Saturday, June 17 at 11 a.m., at Philadelphia Freewill Baptist Church in Folkston with the Rev. Billy Champion officiating.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.
Interment at Sardis Cemetery will follow the service. Nephews will serve as pallbearers.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in memory of George to Philadelphia Freewill Baptist Church, The Sardis Cemetery Trust, or The Satilla Hospice House at 808 Evergreen Way, Waycross, 31501.
Condolences may be expressed by signing the guest registry at www.shepardfh.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of Shepard-Roberson Funeral Home in Folkston.
