David L. Gibson

David Leon Gibson, 63, of Ringgold, GA died peacefully on February 2, 2021 at his home surrounded by his family. He was born on April 10, 1957 and was of the Baptist faith.

He was preceded in death by his infant daughter, Kellie Louise, from a previous marriage; his beloved sister Charlotte (Gibson) Wade; his grandparents, Dee Gibson and Sarah Cantrell and Clyde and Mabel Harrell; uncles Quinton and William Gibson; and aunt Freda Browning.

Survivors include his wife of 35 years, Karen (Pryor) Gibson; children, Shellie Tolbert (Jim) of Akron, OH and Quinton Gibson of Ringgold, GA; parents, Leon and Thelma (Harrell) Gibson of Rossville, GA; sisters, Theresa (Tommy) Sisk of Ringgold, GA and Shari (Barry) Pagett of Xenia, OH; brothers-in-law Danny Pryor of Chattanooga, TN and James Wade of Chickamauga, GA; nephew, Bryan (Amy) Sisk of Rossville, GA; niece, Laura (Jason) Carter of Xenia, OH; and great nephews and niece, Westin Carter, Delaney Sisk and Lilah Carter; and several cousins, aunts, and uncles. David was blessed with one grandchild, Emma Rae Tolbert, of Akron, OH.

David was a 1975 graduate of Lakeview-Ft. Oglethorpe High School. He was a meat cutter and market manager for many years at various grocery stores in the area. He was then an Independent Distributor for McKee Foods for 21 years, and he loved it. During his distributorship, there were so many youth baseball teams, vacation bible schools, various school functions, and family reunions that enjoyed his generosity of Little Debbie snack cake donations. A favorite passion of his was fishing and boating as he truly loved being on the water, and over the years he shared his passion with family and friends. On his days off, if it was sunny and above 40 degrees, you could find David in his boat fishing! Prior to his declining health, he used his smoker-on-wheels to cook turkeys and hams for the Chattanooga Rescue Mission’s Thanksgiving meals. He also enjoyed cooking for friends and community events, especially during his years in church and for his children’s youth group. In the aftermath of the 2011 tornado damage to the Ringgold, GA area, he used his smoker-on-wheels and cooked for anyone that wanted to drop by. He had a very generous heart and seldom said “no” to anyone that needed his help. He was so excited to be awarded the 2012 Catoosa County Citizen of the year.

Sincere and special thanks to Hearth Hospice and especially his nurse Jenny for the dedicated and loving care this past year. She connected so well with David and could always make him smile whether he wanted to or not.

The family will receive friends at Heritage Funeral Home on Battlefield Parkway in Fort Oglethorpe from 3 – 8 PM on Thursday, February 4, 2021 and 9-11 AM on Friday, February 5, 2021. Funeral services will be 11 AM on Friday in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Bill Gardner officiating. Interment will follow in the Lakewood Memory Gardens, South in Rossville, GA.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any memorial contributions in his name be made to the Chattanooga Rescue Mission, 1512 S. Holtzclaw Ave, Chattanooga, TN 37404.

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