Sharon Cross Gibson

Services celebrating the life of Sharon Ann Cross Gibson will be held on Monday, October 27, 2025, at Robert Barham Family Funeral Home. The family will receive guests from 10:00 a.m. until 11:45 a.m. followed by the funeral service in the chapel at noon with Reverend David Meadows officiating. Interment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens.

Sharon, age 80, of Meridian Mississippi passed from this world into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at Baptist Anderson Regional Medical Center surrounded by her family.

After graduating from Meridian High School in 1963 and Meridian Junior College in 1965 and earning a two-year degree, she used her organizational skills and kind personality in various jobs including secretary, office manager, and administrative assistant. Her last job was at Key Law Office, serving her lawyer niece, Leigh Ann Key, as office manager.

Sharon lived a very social life, enjoying a good joke (including practical jokes), and having good times with friends, while also knowing how to be serious and cry with someone when they were brokenhearted.

She learned American Sign Language to be able to communicate with her future husband, Richard Gibson. She often interpreted for him during church services or anywhere else the need arose. She had a love for the deaf community unlike any other, seeing firsthand some of the struggles the deaf endured. She and Richard were almost always together.Sharon loved playing the piano in church and interpreting for the deaf. The last church she played piano for was Druid Hills United Methodist Church.

She had a special love for birthdays and often stretched her birthday over the course of a month as much as possible, while also knowing how to celebrate others on their birthday. She thoroughly enjoyed having conversations over a cup of coffee or Mexican food.

She was a well-organized and tidy lady, keeping a spotless home, and balancing her checkbook to the penny each month. She always enjoyed decorating, whether it was for Christmas putting up her Christmas tree and ceramic village or whether it was setting her wooden and ceramic painted eggs out for Easter.

Sharon enjoyed the beauty of the outdoors and fishing. She could sew beautifully and enjoyed coloring. She loved bright colors and especially loved wearing them. She had the gifts of hospitality and encouragement. She had a contagious smile, even in her last days. Anyone was welcome, and everyone would leave with a belly full of home cooking. She had a special way of cooking where she could get all the food done at once so it was nice and hot when you sat down to eat. Her food was always exceptionally delicious. If Sharon found out anyone was sick, had surgery or were grieving a loved one, she would often begin cooking something special, oftentimes making her famous chicken noodle soup for them. She sent sweet cards to those who needed encouragement.

She was affectionately known as “Mimi” by her 4 grandchildren. She oftentimes had activities planned for them when they visited. She loved getting in the kitchen with them, pulling out the play-dough, doing paper crafts, painting and would even read books to them. Her sister, Frances, always enjoyed coming along for the ride.

Even after her mind was clouded by Primary Progressive Aphasia and she was unable to read, she would sit in front of her open Bible and underline the words. Before being wheelchair bound, she could often be found in the nursing home carrying around her Bible, wearing her blue rain jacket and rose ball cap. She loved everything about Church. The last church she was a member of was First Baptist Church Marion.

Survivors include her children, Rollin Bonner, Rex Bonner, Tammy Thompson (Austin), and Betsy Gibson; grandchildren, Josie, Audrey, and Carrie Thompson and Evan Gibson Cook; sisters Doris Cross and Karla Meyer Graham; sisters-in-law Frances Cross and Becki Blake (Charles); brother-in-law, Robert Scitzs; the father of her children, Carlos Bonner (Mary); special friends who are like family, Amy Ausbrooks, Lisa McAmis, Darlene Thompson, and Angela Watts; numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

She was preceded in death by husband Richard Gibson; father, Willie Cross (Gertrude); mother, Eula Mae Meyer (Mattimore); infant sister Willie Mae Cross; sister Frances Scitzs; brothers, Don Cross, Billy Joe Cross (Robbie), and Terry Cross (Delphy); and niece, Leigh Ann Key (Ronnie).

The family thanks Bedford Care Center for taking care of Sharon in her last years and Melissa (in Activities) as she was a special friend to her there; the ladies from Oak Grove Baptist Church who took time to visit her; and Amy Ausbrooks who visited often and helped advocate for her.

Pallbearers will be Rollin Bonner, Rex Bonner, Austin Thompson, Ben Ausbrooks, and Jim McAmis.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to The Gideons International or a charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be expressed at robertbarhamffh.com

Robert Barham Family Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with arrangements.