Etta Jean Joines Gibbs
Etta Jean was born in Francitas, Texas and grew up in the Buhler Settlement in Jackson County. Her father died on March 18, 1937 just before Etta Jean began first grade in the fall. A few years later, Ada bought a house in Francitas and the family moved there. Etta attended school in Francitas and La Ward and graduated from Lolita-La Ward High School in 1948. While in high school, Etta Jean played volleyball. She worked at the Upton Store and also at the Wofford Store in Francitas before her marriage.
In February, 1951, Harrell received his "invitation from Uncle Sam" and served as an MP at Camp Gordon in Augusta, Georgia. Two other men from the Jackson and Matagorda County area, Curtis Wofford and Robert Abraham, were also sent to Georgia with Harrell.
While in Georgia, Curtis told Harrell about Etta Jean Joines who worked at his parents' grocery store in Francitas. Curtis gave him Etta's address and they began writing. After all, it was the patriotic thing to do! They first met in August, 1951 when Harrell was home on furlough. After he returned to Georgia, they continued to write and were engaged when he returned on another furlough. After the engagement, Etta moved to Houston in May 1952 to live with her brother, Otis, and his wife, Pearlie. Etta and Pearlie worked together at Meyers Spalti Furniture Company until November. The wedding was planned for December. Harrell returned on Friday, December 12th and they were married the next day at the Francitas Baptist Church by Rev. Raymond Drews. Robert Abraham was the best man and Albina Walleck Joines, Etta's sister-in-law, was matron of honor. Also attending were Mrs. Drews, Ada, Etta's mother and Harrell's mother, Maxie Lou Underwood Gibbs.
Harrell reported back to Georgia two weeks later and was discharged in February, 1953.
She and Harrell moved to Bay City and joined the First Baptist Church in Bay City on May 31, 1953. She attended Sunday school and worship services as long as her health permitted. She greatly enjoyed her Sunday School classes and sang in the Jubilaires Choir for many years. She was also a member of the "Tab and Gab" group who prepared FBC newsletters for mailing.
In earlier years she worked in the FBC nursery about 15 years and every Sunday morning could be found in the bed babies department rocking the newest additions to the church family.
Harrell and Etta first lived at 1300 Fifth Street where Harrell's family had lived just after moving to Bay City. He had worked for Frank Hurley before his stint in the army and he once again began working for Mr. Hurley driving a butane truck. Two months later they moved to a garage apartment at 817 ½ 7th Street.The next move was during the summer of 1953 to a house at Rt. 2, Box 79A on the Highway 35 which was owned by Harrell's sister, Lucille, and her husband Morris Richardson. They were living there when Carol Sue was born. Harrell began working for Speedway Oil Company and drove a gas transport truck.
Larry Denson was born November 16, 1959 on the opening day of deer season. Though Harrell didn't get to go hunting that year, he got his "little buck" anyway. A change to a different transport company allowed Harrell to be at home at night with his family while the children were small.
Two months after Larry was born the family moved to 1501 Twelfth Street and lived there six months while the home on the highway was remodeled. They lived at Rt. 2, Box 79A until the summer of 1965.
In August, 1965, Harrell and Etta purchased their home at 3108 3rd Street where Etta would live until 2018. Larry began school in 1966 and Etta started working for the Bay City ISD Food Service in September, 1967. From 1974 – 1977 she was the BCISD Food Service Director where she supervised seven schools and 40 employees. She retired in May, 1998 after 31 years of service.
She was a wonderful cook and made the turkey and dressing for Thanksgiving and Christmas family gatherings every year. She baked all kinds of cakes, especially Italian Cream.
Always the caregiver, she nursed Harrell, Larry and Carol Sue through six surgeries between 1999 and 2005.
Her sister-in-law, Juanita Anderson Joines, taught her to crochet when Etta was a teenager. She made hundreds of beautiful doilies, as well as larger items. She crocheted 22,000 pairs of shoes for M. D. Anderson cancer patients and thousands more for the Colorado Baptist Association Christmas Stocking Ministry. Many children along the border and in Mexico are still receiving shoes she made.
Anyone who met her in recent years was always told, "I'm my daddy's 14th child."
Etta Jean is preceded in death by her parents; her husband; son Larry Denson Gibbs; brother James Thomas "J. T." Joines; and 11 half-brothers and sisters: Clarence Joines, Clyde Joines, Addie Joines Linton, Calvin Joines, Guy Joines, Robert Joines, Otis Joines, Wheeler Joines, Lillie Joines Moore, Ruby Joines Linton and Sylvia Joines Linton. She is survived by her daughter Carol Sue Gibbs; brother, W. R. "Dub" Joines and wife, Albina Joines; sister-in-law Beth Gibbs, and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends and relatives beginning at 1:00pm Saturday, February 15, 2020 at First Baptist Church in Bay City. A memorial service will follow at 2:00pm with Dr. Mike Zimmerman officiating. Honorary pallbearers are Bobby Bonorden, Curtis Dykes, G. W. Franzen, Ken Gibbs, Clarence Joines, James Joines, Jimmy Joines and Kevin Lowrance.
A private burial will be at Roselawn Memorial Park in Van Vleck.
Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church Christmas stocking ministry, 2321 Avenue F, Bay City, Texas 77414.

Online condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.taylorbros.net. Arrangements are with Taylor Bros. Funeral Home Bay City. 979-245-4613.