Gibbs

Althea L. Gibbs of Stanfield, Oregon, was born on August 7, 1935, in Heppner, Oregon, to parents Merle Cecil and Luella Agnes Baird Swaggart. She died on December 23, 2017, in Richland, Washington, at the age of 82 years.

Althea attended Ritter Schoolhouse before her family moved to Athena, Oregon, graduating from McEwen High School in 1953. She married Clayton Gibbs on November 22, 1953, in Yuma, Arizona. They owned and operated a ranch on the Middle Fork of the John Day River near Galena, Oregon. She moved to Stanfield, Oregon in the early 1990s where she has lived since.

Althea was past president of Family Community Education (FCE) and longtime secretary of the Western States Junior Rodeo Association. She enjoyed quilting, cooking, flowers, and her Roundup Athletic Club swim group, and cherished time with her grandchildren.

She is survived by her son Zane Gibbs (Janice), Stanfield, Ore.; daughter Marcy Rosenberg (Brad), Pendleton, Ore.; brother Cecil Swaggart, Hermiston, Ore.; sister Marylou Blackwell, Long Creek, Ore.; grandchildren Zane (Andde), Lindsey (Jake), Clay, Dustin (AnneMarie), Cheri, Leslie, Clayton and William; and numerous great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Althea was preceded in death by her husband; son Bill Gibbs; her parents; and a sister, Betty Kennedy.

A celebration gathering will be held on Saturday, January 13, 2018, at 1 p.m. at the Pendleton Eagles Lodge, 428 E. Main St., Pendleton, Oregon.

Those who wish may make contributions in Althea’s memory to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research, 1100 Fairview Ave. North, Seattle, WA 98109.

Please sign the online condolence book at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com

Burns Mortuary of Hermiston, Oregon, is in care of arrangements.