Rev. Dr. Lewis C. Gibbs

Rev. Dr. Lewis C. Gibbs moved from this life to the Church Triumphant at Mission Hospital on Easter Sunday, April 17, 2022.

He was born in Caldwell County on January 12, 1936, to Jason L. Gibbs and Lois B. Gibbs. After attending Hudson High School, he entered the U.S. Air Force and served four years. He married Doris W. “Dottie” Walker in 1955, beginning their 67 blessed years together. In 1961 he answered the call to Christian ministry and their real journey began.

Lewis served churches in Vanceboro, NC, Statesville, and Granite Falls as he pursued his education and moved to serve in Chicopee, GA, while attending seminary at Emory University. Back in NC he served in Hickory and Concord before being appointed to Groce UMC in Asheville, where the family fell in love with living in the mountains. After moving to serve in Charlotte, he and Dottie felt a call to serve a term in Meru, Kenya, before moving back to serve in Greensboro while Dottie attended seminary at Duke University and he earned his D. Min at Drew University. He served one more appointment in Charlotte before being appointed to serve as District Superintendent of the Asheville District, his final appointment. Wherever they were, Lewis always made an impact, loved the people and received their love in return. In 2011 they moved to Givens Estates.

In addition to his parents, Rev. Dr. Gibbs is predeceased by daughter Amy L. Gibbs (Canclini) and brother Danny Gibbs.

He loved his family with all his heart and was proud of their every accomplishment. In addition to Dottie, left to cherish the memory of his great love of them are their children, Mark W. Gibbs (Janice) of Asheville and John L. Gibbs (Lisa) of Boone; grandchildren, Hannah G. Schauer (Kipper) and Sarah Jane Moore (Stuart) of Asheville, Jack Gibbs (Liz) of James Island, SC, Annie Gray Holt (Richard) of Durham, Bailey S. Gibbs of Greensboro, Luca, Marie-Chantal and Emily Canclini and special “son-in-law,’ Camillo Canclini of St. Gallen Switzerland; great grandson, Walker Gibbs; and brother, Joe Gibbs (Sammie) of Granite Falls, NC.

The Service of Remembrance and Celebration for Rev. Dr. Gibbs will be held in Pulliam Chapel at Givens Estates on Friday, April 22 at 3 p.m.

Memorials may be made to the Resident Assistance Fund at Givens Estates, Covenant Community UMC, 11 Rocket Drive, Asheville, NC 28803 or the charity of your choice.

Groce Funeral Home on Patton Avenue is assisting the family.