Mr. Milo Lemert Gibbs, age 90, of 1210 N. Respess St., Washington, N.C. died Friday, Feb. 25, 2011. A funeral service will be held Monday at 11 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Washington, officiated by Rev. Chris Leak. Interment will be at Oakdale Cemetery.

Attending pallbearers are: Jim Buckman, Clay Carter, David Carter, Ed Hodges, Jr., Lawrence Mallard, Wayland Sermons and Mark Yates. Honorary pallbearers are: The Tranters Creek Herring Club.

Mr. Gibbs was born Aug. 1, 1920 in Engelhard, N.C., son of the late Hermond V. and Pearl Spencer Gibbs.  He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Washington, N.C., and had served as treasurer and chairman of the church’s Official Board, and as chairman of the Board of Trustees. Mr. Gibbs was a cashier, vice president and branch manager, executive vice president and member of the board of directors of the Bank of Washington. In 1971, NCNB merged with the Bank of Washington; he was vice president and commercial loan and marketing officer.  In 1974, he became senior loan and administrative officer, and two years later he took over as city executive. He served 39 years in banking beginning Aug. 1, 1946 ą Aug. 31, 1985.

He was an avid golfer and fisherman. He served on the finance committee of the Washington Yacht & Country Club, as President of the Washington Kiwanis Club and as chairman of the Beaufort County Tuberculosis Association. He also was a member of the Historic Bath Commission. He served two terms as president and several as director of the Washington Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of the board of directors of the Washington United Fund and was chairman of the Washington Firemen’s Relief Fund from 1967-1997.  He was named Washington Jaycee “Boss of the Year” in 1979.

Mr. Gibbs was a 1937 graduate of Bath High School; a 1938 graduate of Louisburg College; a 1942 graduate of N.C. State University; a 1961 graduate of The Stonier Graduate School of Banking at Rutgers University.

Mr. Gibbs joined the U.S. Army in 1942 as a Second Lieutenant and served his country during World War II in North Africa and France. He came home in 1946 as a Captain and served in the U.S. Army Reserve until he retired in 1964 as a Lieutenant Colonel.

His first wife, Nell Beddard Gibbs, who died Jan. 20, 1995, preceded him in death and daughter, Jane Gibbs Smith, died March 22, 1999.

Surviving family include his wife of 14 years, Barbara Boyd Clement Gibbs of the home; son, Milo L. Gibbs, Jr. and wife Joan of Wilson, N.C.; a brother, Robert C. Gibbs and wife Nancy of Apex, N.C.; son-in-law, Jerry A. Smith and wife Elizabeth; grandchildren, Robert Hackney, Jr., Stewart Hackney, Leslie G. Van Der Have and husband Jim, and Spencer Gibbs; great-grandchildren, Bruin Fritscher and Rance Fritscher; step-son, Jack R. Clement II and wife Stephanie of Wilkesboro, N.C.; step-daughter, Katherine J. Clement of Winston Salem, N.C.; step-grandchildren, Jack R. Clement III and Grant Clement; two nephews, Robert Gibbs and wife, Mary Catherine and son, Ethan; John Gibbs and wife Geeta and daughters Reina and Sohni.

The family will receive friends at Paul Funeral Home from 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Sunday night and other times at the home, 1210 N. Respess St., Washington, N.C.

The family would appreciate flowers or memorials may be made to The First United Methodist Church, 304 W. 2nd St., Washington, NC  27889, Beaufort County Chapter of the American Red Cross, 135 N. Market St., Washington, NC  27889 or The Blind Center, 221 N. Harvey St., Washington, NC  27889.

Condolences may be offered by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com.

Paul Funeral Home of Washington is honored to serve the Gibbs Family.

Paid Obituary