Dedicated to Friends, Past and Present

Herschel Eugene “Gene” Gibbs, Jr., 73, of Brooks, Georgia, passed away surrounded by loved ones Thursday, January 16, 2025. He was born to Herschel Eugene Gibbs, Sr. and Carolyn Haynes in Atlanta, Georgia on Wednesday, November 14, 1951. He graduated from Forest Park Senior High. As a young person, he was known as Gene Shellnutt when his mother married his step father, Jack Shellnutt. He later changed his name back to his birth name of Herschel “Gene” Gibbs, Jr.

Gene worked for Northwest Airlines as a Stock Clerk in the shipping and receiving department. He was a member of New Providence Church in Fayetteville. Gene loved to hunt, played the guitar, sang in the church choir, and enjoyed watching Gunsmoke and John Wayne movies. He was also a Mason with the Rex Masonic Lodge #251. Gene was a huge UGA fan. He adored his dogs Max, a German Shepherd mix and Cooper, a Jack Russell and he collected western items for his “Cowboy Man Cave”.

Gene is preceded in death by his daughter, Noelle Gibbs; his father Herschel Eugene Gibbs, Sr., and his stepfather, Jack Shellnutt. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Lavanda Ivie Gibbs; his mother, Carolyn Haynes Gibbs; his son, Chris (Rebecca) Gibbs; his daughter Shana Shellnutt; grandchildren, Jordan (Leanna) Bivens, Madalyn Gibbs, and Cera Beth Brown; and his great-grandchildren, Pryarly Bivens, Luna Mae McTigue, and Luke McTigue; 4 brothers John (Michelle) Shellnutt, Bill (Dawn) Swink, Cody Gibbs, and Michael (Lori) Gibbs; 3 sisters, Jancie Shellnutt Wilson, Georgia Swink (Paul) Barrett and Lisa Gibbs (Chris) Lopez; along with nieces, nephews, numerous friends, neighbors, and other family members.

A funeral service will be held Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at New Providence Church in Fayetteville at 11:00 AM. Visitation will occur Monday, January 20, 2025, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Mowell Funeral Home in Fayetteville. Herschel will be laid to rest at Westminster Memorial Gardens following the service.

We welcome you to leave your condolences, thoughts, and memories of Herschel on our Tribute Wall.

Mowell Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Fayetteville, www.mowells.com

Obituary​

Herschel Eugene “Gene” Gibbs, Jr.
November 14, 1951  -  January 16, 2025