Mary Gipson

SERVICES:  SATURDAY, JANUARY 8, 20112:00 P. M.   HOLY CROSS CATHOLIC CHURCHVISITATION:  FRIDAY, JANUARY 7, 20113:00 P. M. ROSARY SERVICE:FRIDAY,JANUARY 7, 20117:00 P. M.MCCLAIN-HAYS CHAPELINTERMENT:  CEDARLAWN CEMETERYOFFICIATING:  FATHER BOB GOODYEAR Mrs. Gipson, 100, died Thursday, January 6, 2011 at Neshoba County Nursing Home.   Mary Elizabeth Cook Gipson, a descendant of Neshoba County pioneer Cook and Rush families, was born in Neshoba County, MS, on December 8, 1910, to William David and Agnes Rush Cook. She graduated from St. Aloysius Academy in Meridian, MS, as valedictorian of her class.  She returned to Philadelphia and worked at the W.A. Houston Department Store and later at Monroe Williams Department Store.  On Christmas Day, 1938, she married Willie Jim Gipson, owner and operator of City Dry Cleaners.  He preceded her in death in 1949, and the young widow and mother of three daughters took over the operation of the cleaners, changing the name to Gipson Cleaners and working there until her 92nd year.  Her favorite pastime was tending her flower beds and rose bushes, and until her last days she often expressed the desire to be working, either in her yard or at the cleaners.   Mrs. Gipson was an active member of the Philadelphia community, and was elected to two terms on the Philadelphia Board of Aldermen.  She served on the Philadelphia/Neshoba County Parks Board for sixteen years, and was presented the Distinguished Service award in 1980.  She was a Charter member of the Chamber of Commerce, and was the first woman to serve on the Board of Directors.  She served on the Board of the Mental Health Association, was Chairman of the Women's Division of the American Heart Fund, and served as a member of the State Employment and Training Council.  She was named Philadelphia/Neshoba County Citizen of the year in 1991.   As a long-time member of the Philadelphia Business and Professional Women's Club, Mrs. Gipson served with her friends in many volunteer capacities.  She was General Chairman of the Easter Seals drive, and also Service Chairman, by which she acquired wheel chairs and services for those in need of Easter Seals aid.  In 1993 she was honored by the Mississippi State Easter Seals Society for outstanding service.  She was named the Business and Professional Woman of the Year in 1970.   Mrs. Gipson was the oldest member of Holy Cross Catholic Church, where she was active at various times in the Altar Society, Religious Education, Social Concerns Committee, and Parish Council.  In later years she was a regular communicant at Holy Rosary Catholic Church at Tucker.   In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Gipson was preceded in death by a brother John D. Cook, and sisters Annie Ruth Cook Allen, Frances Cook White, Estelle Cook Hire, and Polly Cook Nyby.   Mrs. Gipson is survived by her daughters Ann Stubbs, Laura Kilpatrick, and Regina Hicks; sons-in-law Steven H. Stubbs and Danny L. Hicks, all of Philadelphia; grandchildren William H. Stubbs, Stephanie Stubbs Place, Leanne Stubbs, Kim Kilpatrick Rea, Amy Kilpatrick Taylor, Jay M. Kilpatrick, Emily Hicks Moran, Dr. Brian Hicks and James P. Hicks.  Great-grandchildren are Matthew and Laura Stubbs, Austin, Mary Grace and Peyton Rea, Steven and Adam Place, Eli, Mary Kate, and Charlie Moran, Emma and Maggie Taylor, Ayden and Katherine Kilpatrick, Gipson Hicks, Hattie, Lilly and Daniel Hicks.  She is also survived by a sister Jane Cook Sabrio of Metairie, Louisiana, and a brother William Patrick Cook of Pike Road, Alabama; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.  Grandsons and grandsons-in-law will serve as pallbearers.  Granddaughters and granddaughters-in-law will serve as honorary pallbearers.   Memorials may be made to Holy Rosary Catholic Church, P.O. Box 37, Philadelphia, MS 39350; Holy Cross Altar Society c/o Jo Helen Daly, 442 Pecan Avenue, Philadelphia MS 39350; or your charity of choice.