Richard Charles Gibbs departed this life Tuesday, April 8, 2008, at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center.

He was born June 16, 1940, in Gaffney to the late Walter E. Gibbs Sr. and Viola Gibbs. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 43 years, English Lee Jamison Gibbs.

He graduated from Granard High School and South Carolina State University with a B.S. in Music Education. He received his Master of Arts degree from Furman University. He was a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army, stationed at Fort Benning, Ga., and Fort Bragg, N.C. After a successful 30-year career in education as a teacher and band director, he retired from the Spartanburg County Public School System in 1993.

He was a long-standing member of the Cornerstone Baptist Church, where he served on the deacon board. Also, Deacon Gibbs chaired the budget and finance committee and later served as administrator of the finance committee.

Mr. Gibbs was active in the local community. He served as a member of the Spartanburg Planning Commission and was a board member of the ReGenesis Economic Development Organization (REDO). He was a member of the South Carolina State College Alumni Association, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Phi Beta Mu Band Fraternity, the South Carolina Band Directors Association and the Model City Jazz Ensemble.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughters, Monique Gibbs of Nashville, Tenn., and Judy Gibbs-Gray of Chesterfield, Va.; two grandchildren, Briann and Brendan Gray of Chesterfield, Va.; a sister, Martha Littlejohn of Gaffney; sisters-in-law, Virgie Crosby of Islandton, S.C., Edyzone McMillan of Simpsonville and Ruby Gibbs of Hollis, N.Y.; brothers-in-law, Charles Hagler of Spartanburg and Marshall McMillan of Simpsonville; and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Walter E. Gibbs Jr., Hattie Shippy and Louise Gibbs.

Services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, April 12, at Cornerstone Baptist Church, 700 S. Converse St., Spartanburg, with Dr. Charles J.J. Jackson III officiating. Burial will be in Lincoln Memorial Gardens, Drayton.

The family will receive relatives and friends Friday, April 11, from 6:30-8 p.m. at J.W. Woodward Funeral Home, 594 Howard St., Spartanburg.