Elaine Maret Gibbs, age 80, of Royston, passed away Saturday, March 25, 2023 at St. Mary's Hospice House in Bogart, following a series of strokes.

She was born October 7, 1942, in Franklin County, daughter of the late Karl and Sophia Randall Maret. She was a member of Lavonia High School's Class of 1960, and graduated from UGA with a degree in Home Economics in 1964. She worked for Georgia Power as a home economist, where she met the love of her life, Lendon Gibbs, at the office in Athens. After they married, in 1969, they moved to Atlanta, and she worked diligently, caring for their family. She was a member of Lavonia First Baptist Church, the Women of Georgia Power and the United Daughters of the Confederacy. She was also a die-hard Georgia Bulldog fan and got to as many games as possible each year, including the back-to-back National Championship seasons. Elaine was always known for welcoming people into her home and her heart. Whether it was Thanksgiving with family, a home cooked meal for a family college student or young professional away from home, or friends of her daughters, Elaine always had delicious home cooked food and great conversation. Food, family, and friends were always at the center of Elaine's life, and she always welcomed everyone with delicious home cooked food and great conversation. She got to know people in a special way, and her memories will be carried on in everyone who she touched.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by sisters: Kathleen Jackson, Annie Akin, Henrietta Mabry, Jo Nix, and Marguerite LeCroy; and brothers: Karl Duane Maret and Randall Maret. She is survived by her husband of 54 years: Lendon Gibbs; daughters Vickie Gibbs (Aaron Sollars) and Diane Gibbs (John Smith); sisters: Sue Maret and Bette Cowles (Bob); brother: Charles Maret (Sarah); granddaughter: Layla Sollars; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other family members.

The funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, April 1, 2023 at the Lavonia First Baptist Church with Rev. Chris Chitwood and Rev. Larry Finger officiating. Burial will follow in Franklin Memorial Gardens – North, no graveside service. The family will receive friends and family Friday evening from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Lavonia First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 47, Lavonia, GA 30553 ( www.thejourneylavonia.church/give ) or to the Georgia Sheriffs' Youth Homes ( www.georgiasheriffsyouth.org ) or Kids Chance of Georgia ( www.kidschancega.org ).

Strickland Funeral Home of Lavonia is in charge of the arrangements. To sign the online guest register, please visit stricklandfh.com.

The church will be providing a luncheon for family and friends of Elaine at 12pm on Saturday, April 1st in the Family Life Center. Please view this Evite and RSVP if you will be attending the luncheon. http://evite.me/tBk1yfNZcF .