Evelyn Margaret (Margo) Gibson, 67, died at her home in Thorsby on May 4, 2013. She was born on Nov. 1, 1945, in Monterey, Calif., the third child of the late Evelyn L. Jones Smith and Claude J. Smith.

As the youngest child in a military family, Margo saw much of Europe. She attended Banks High School in Bessemer and graduated high school in Germany after the family relocated in her senior year. It was there that she met the love of her life, John Wesley Gibson. John was serving in active duty in the U.S. Army in Erlangen, Germany. They married in November of 1963.

After returning home to the United States, Margo and John had two sons, Wesley and Phillip. The family moved about the Southeast as John worked his way up in the apparel industry. In 1978, the family settled in Jemison and Margo helped to support the family as John started Jemison Sportswear. As their children grew, Margo and John could always be found supporting Wesley and Phillip in their school activities.

Margo’s love for her family was equaled only by her passion for education. Even while working and raising their two sons, she continued her college education and graduated from the University of Montevallo with a master’s degree in education.

Margo began her career in the Chilton County school system as a special education teacher and later taught English at Jemison High School. She also volunteered her time and talents to many organizations, including Chilton County Special Olympics. In 1990, Margo was elected to the Chilton County Board of Education. She was appointed principal in Jemison High School in 1994, a role she cherished. In 2005, she was named Alabama High School Principal of the year. She retired in 2008 to spend time with John.

After her retirement, Margo continued to serve her family, friends and church. She truly enjoyed helping others. She served as Lay Leader for the Clanton First United Methodist Church, taught adult Sunday school and volunteered in numerous capacities. Margo enjoyed history, traveling and studying the Bible.

She recently fulfilled lifelong dreams by visiting the Holy Land and touring Europe, where she reacquainted herself with many of the towns she visited as a child.

Margo is survived by her two sons: John Wesley Gibson Jr. (Jian Hua) of Bowling Green, Ky. and Phillip Duval Gibson (Adam Thompson) of Chicago, Ill.; her brother, Claude J. Smith Jr. (Marie); nieces and nephews, Alison Funk McGill, Lori Funk Douglas, John Funk, Claude Smith III and Frederick Smith; her beloved great nieces and nephews, Alan, Claudia, Trace, Cameron and Blake. She was predeceased by her husband, the late John Wesley Gibson and by her sister, the late Claudia Judith ‘Judy’ Funk (David).

Visitation will be held at Clanton First United Methodist Church from 3 p.m.- 5 p.m. on May 8 followed by a Celebration of Life service in her honor at 5 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Clanton First United Methodist Church Building Fund or to Chilton County Special Olympics.

Martin Funeral Home directing.

You may leave online condolences for the family on the guest registry for the family at www.martinfuneralhomeinc.com.