Althea L. Gibbs of Stanfield died on Dec. 23, 2017 in Richland, Wash. at the age of 82.
She was born on Aug. 7, 1935 in Heppner to Merle Cecil and Luella Agnes Baird Swaggart.
Althea attended Ritter Schoolhouse before her family moved to Athena, graduating from McEwen High School in 1953. She married Clayton Gibbs on Nov. 22, 1953 in Yuma, Ariz. They owned and operated a ranch on the middle fork of the John Day River near Galena. Althea moved to Stanfield in the early 1990s, where she had lived since.
She was past president of FCE (Family Community Education) and longtime secretary of the Western States Junior Rodeo Association. She enjoyed quilting, cooking, flowers, her Roundup Athletic Club swim group, and cherished time with her grandchildren.
She is survived by her son, Zane Gibbs (Janice), Stanfield; daughter, Marcy Rosenberg (Brad), Pendleton; brother, Cecil Swaggart, Hermiston; sister, Marylou Blackwell, Long Creek; grandchildren, Zane (Andde), Lindsey (Jake), Clay, Dustin (AnneMarie), Cheri, Leslie, Clayton and William; and numerous great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Althea was preceded in death by her husband; son, Bill Gibbs; parents; and sister, Betty Kennedy.
A celebration of life gathering will be held on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018 at 1 p.m. at the Pendleton Eagles Lodge, 428 E. Main St.
Those who wish may make contributions in Althea’s memory to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1100 Fairview Ave. N., Seattle, Wash., 98109.
Please sign the online condolence book at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
