Mrs. Mary Jane Stone Gibbons, 91, recently of Athens, GA, passed away Tuesday, January 7, 2025 at The Orchard of Athens, prior to moving to Athens she resided for 50 years in Rome GA.

Born on April 26, 1933 in Detroit, MI, she was the daughter of the late George Walter Stone and Edith Edna Winship Stone. Mrs. Gibbons received her Associate's Degree in Business from Floyd Junior College, and she was a retired eligibility clerk for the Social Security Administration. Mary Jane was a member of the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Rome, GA, and was a long-standing, ranking member of Clan Donald USA.

Mary Jane's husband of 70 years was career Air Force.  She moved 20 times with him starting in 1952 until he retired in 1971. Many times, she packed up the house hold and traveled across the country with three children, many times on her own. This was always treated as a new adventure for the family. Keeping active was an important part of who she was.  She loved reading, knitting, singing, Little Theater, needle work and sewing. Her most enjoyable hobby was Genealogy and she spent years gathering the family history, and sharing that information, Finding the connection to Scottish ancestry led her to her connection with Clan Donald USA.  Over the years, she served as Georgia Commissioner, Southeast Commissioner and Deputy High Commissioner for Clan Donald.

Survivors include her son: William Gibbons (Terry) of Covington, GA; daughter: Jane G. Little (Kenneth) of Hartwell; daughter-in-law: Beth W. Gibbons of Rome, GA; one brother: George Stone (Gail) of Portland, OR.  Grandchildren: Kenneth Little (Mia), Elizabeth Little Sikes (Brad), Kevin Gibbons (Eileen), Ian Little (Erica) Matthew Gibbons, Kathryn Gibbons Jones (Matt). Great grandchildren, Chole and Lily Sikes, Owian Gibbons and Harper Jones.

Mrs. Gibbons is preceded in death by her parents; husband: James Curtis Gibbons Sr; one son: James C. "Jim" Gibbons Jr; and one sister: Nancy Stone Little.

It was Mrs. Gibbons' wishes to be cremated and a memorial service celebrating her life will be held at later date by the family. Her ashes will be interred at the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, GA.

In lieu of flowers you may make a donation in her memory to: Wounded Warriors Project at support.woundedwarriorsproject.org.

The Strickland Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Hartwell is in charge of all arrangements.