Deborah Rae Gibbons

Deborah Rae (Bywater) Gibbons, age 69, of Gorham, Kansas, passed away at home on Friday, August 9, 2024. Debbie was born to Eddie Ray and Arlene (Singleton) Bywater on April 11, 1955, in Omaha, Nebraska. Debbie grew up in the Tarkio, Missouri, area and graduated from Tarkio High School as a member of the Class of 1973.

Debbie married Ronald Gene Gibbons on June 12, 1978, and they lived in Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, and Oklahoma during their 30 years of marriage. Debbie worked as a nurse, waitress, cook, and factory worker during that time. After Ron’s death in 2008, Debbie went back to school, graduating from Tulsa Community College, Northeastern State University, and eventually the University of Oklahoma’s Graduate College with a Master’s Degree in Social Work.

She was then employed as a Job Coach by Goodwill Industries of Tulsa, and later as a substitute teacher at Skiatook Public Schools before her health began to decline, and she retired. Debbie’s great joy was her grandchildren, several of whom she helped raise. She also loved traveling, and she was always reading a book! Debbie spent her final years living first with her daughter Angela, and then with her daughter Sarah, who cared for Debbie lovingly until her passing. 

Debbie is survived by her children, Angela Garrison and husband, Calvin, Sperry, OK; Jacob Gibbons, Tulsa, OK; Sarah Rollett and husband, Nate, Gorham, KS; her grandchildren, Elizabeth; Cadence; Noah; Delilah; Mercedes; Phoenix; her brothers, Phillip Bywater; Stuart Bywater; Jon Bywater; and numerous nephews and nieces. She was preceded in death by her parents, Eddie Ray and Arlene Bywater; her husband, Ronald Gene Gibbons; and her brother, Michael James Bywater. 

A Celebration of Life will be held on September 1, 2024, in Sperry, Oklahoma, with a private inurnment at a later date. The family suggests memorial donations be made to Goodwill Industries of Tulsa,2800 Southwest Boulevard, Tulsa, OK, 74107, or through the donation link on their website: goodwilltulsa.org. 

Services are entrusted to Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601.

Condolences can be sent via e-mail to clineschapels@gmail.com or can be left at guestbook at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com