On August 1, 2024, at River Oaks Health Campus in Princeton, Indiana, Sandra “Sandy” Gibson went home to be with her Lord and Savior, and to be reunited with her family. She was born September 29, 1950, in St. Louis, Missouri, and in 1951 was adopted from the St. Louis Children’s Orphanage by Dwight and Helen Hughey of Mount Carmel, Illinois. Sandy felt so blessed to have been given such a Christian home with the most loving and supportive parents.
Sandy grew up in Mount Carmel, and was very involved in many school, music, church and 4H activities. She graduated from Mount Carmel High School as a proud member of the class of 1968. She later attained a bachelor’s degree in applied behavioral science and worked toward her master’s degree. After high school, Sandy was named Miss Wabash County.
In 1969, Sandy married Randy Gibson of Albion, Illinois, and later divorced but to that union a child, Jonathan Shad Gibson, was born in 1972. Shad passed away at the age of 37. Sandy greatly missed him but relied on family, friends, daughter-in-law, and her faith to see her through.
Sandy became employed by AT&T in 1972. After several promotions and numerous relocations, she retired while in Georgia with thirty years of service. In 2001 Sandy returned to Mount Carmel to care for her father after the sudden death of her mother. She continued her work experience part-time at Southeastern Illinois Family Counseling Center as a Family Resource Developer for three years. For the next four years, she worked part-time as a Consumer Service Representative at First Bank.
She loved and served the Lord throughout her life. As an adult, she had been a Sunday school teacher, choir member, choir director, pianist, organist, minister of music, various committee chairman, and a hospice volunteer. She also enjoyed creating and presenting musical plays and dramas. Sandy was a member of the First Baptist Church in Mount Carmel and will be remembered for her faith. She always had time to lend an ear to anyone, provide compassion and offer words of encouragement. Throughout her life, Sandy was known to always have a smile on her face and a lilt in her voice. She was also known for her sense of humor, her friendly nature and her positive attitude. Although music was a major part of her life, she had many other interests including knitting, crocheting, reading and horseback riding. Besides her love of horses and dogs, she had enjoyed many other various pets in her life. She loved all animals.
Upon her death, Sandy was joyfully reunited with her parents, Dwight and Helen
Hughey, her son, Jonathan Shad Gibson, her grandparents, numerous aunts and uncles, and many friends.
Sandy will be remembered by her three cousins; Sturman (Linda) Hughey of Mount Carmel, with their sons Joe and Phillip (Paige) Hughey, cousin Jan (Charles) Anderson of Western Springs, IL, with their sons Kyle and Ryan (Michelle) Anderson and grandchildren, Mia, and Will, cousin Jim (Rachel) Smith of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, with their sons, Tracy (Deceased) and Troy (Doris) along with their grandchildren Gwen, and Cheryl.
Sandy also has been separated but remembered by her Texas family, daughter-in-law, Irene Mackay, with her son Izzy and daughter, Desiree, her grandchildren, Alex, Aiden, Jacob, Wesley, Breanne and Isiah, and her great grandchildren, David and Alaina Shad who was named after Sandy’s son. Sandy has also been separated from many lifelong friends from everywhere she had lived, and from Gary, the love of her life.
A gathering of friends and family to celebrate Sandy’s life will be held from 10:00 a.m.- 11:00 a.m., Thursday, August 8, 2024 in the Chapel of Keepes Funeral Home.
A Memorial Service will be at 11:00, Thursday, August 8, 2024 in the Chapel of Keepes Funeral Home with Pastor Steven Freels officiating. Burial will follow at Highland Memorial Cemetery.
In Lieu of flowers, please consider donations to one of Sandy’s favorite charities, Hope Pregnancy and Resource Center or Wabash County Animal Shelter Buddies. Envelopes will be at the funeral home or can be mailed to Keepes Funeral Home, 1500 North Cherry Street, Mount Carmel, IL 62863.
Keepes Funeral Home is serving the family with the arrangements. To view Sandy’s tribute wall, and leave condolences for her family, please visit www.keepesfuneralhome.com
