Deborah Gibson Obituary

Deborah Lynn Gibson was born December 2, 1953 in Wheaton, Missouri to Noah and Chrisna Bixler. The youngest of four, she was raised on her parents' farm deep in the country where she developed a love for horseback riding, often riding far out into the country to get lost before finding her way back home. Deborah was crowned homecoming queen at Wheaton High School. She moved to Oklahoma soon after graduation, marrying and buying a house they paid off in one summer selling fireworks. Deborah gave birth to three children, Christina Rae, Nathan, and Natalie. Christina passed at three months old from SIDS. Deborah was only 19 at the time. She carried this unfathomable loss throughout her life.

Deborah was a stunningly beautiful, warm, gregarious soul with a contagious laugh. She loved tennis and gardening, often with a cigarette in hand and a glass of wine to toast. She began a career in nonprofits starting as Executive Director with the Multiple Sclerosis Society, eventually moving her family to Overland Park, Kansas to serve as the President of the Arthritis Foundation for both Kansas and Missouri.

Deborah moved to Charlotte, North Carolina in 1994 to become the head of Charlotte Workforce Development. She loved the temperate Carolina weather, trading in heavy coats for a bright red mustang convertible. Her zest for life and curiosity about people made friends of strangers everywhere. Deborah was the neighborhood parent that so many came to love, a surrogate mom who treasured people without judgment for exactly who they were. Deborah was passionate about politics and social justice – a tireless advocate for the underdog. She shared her home with anyone who needed love or help.

Deborah married the love of her life and her soulmate,Tom Gibson, in 2003. Deborah and Tom spent many happy years living in uptown Charlotte with their dogs Ramona and Bella before settling in Huntersville in 2022. Her final years were filled with love and laughter, enjoying Tom's legendary cooking, feeding her backyard menagerie of birds, and playing rummikub with her daughter. Despite her illness, she remained a beacon of positivity, a bright shining light for the world and everyone around her. Tom, and the family are forever grateful for the time they had with her. Blessed beyond measure, though it was over too soon. Deborah would want us to honor her memory by giving people the benefit of the doubt and enjoying each moment that we have with each other. An incredible woman, mother, wife and friend. She loved all and was loved by all.

Deborah is survived by her sister, Shirley Poppen (CA), her husband, Tom Gibson, (NC), her son, Nate and wife Kristen Lawrence (CO), daughter, Natalie and husband William Nation (NC). She is also survived by five grandchildren; Sam Lawrence, Chase Trout, Abe Lawrence, Desmond Nation, and Mabel Nation as well as two great grandchildren, Oliver and Alexander Trout.