Regina (Gibbs) Rigby

Regina Gail Gibbs Rigby (1958 - 2006)

Regina Gail Gibbs Rigby, 48, a beloved Forest school teacher, died Friday, Nov. 10 at her home with her family lovingly surrounding her. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 12 at Forest United Methodist Church, with burial in Macedonia Methodist Protestant Cemetery. Rev. Mike Sahler, Rev. Lin Chesney and Dr. Leon Everett officiated and Norma Ruth Lee delivered the eulogy. Ott & Lee Funeral Home in Forest handled the arrangements.

Regina was born April 24, 1958 to Ina Gibbs and Sidney Gibbs, Jr. At a very young age, Regina began to excel in academics. In 1976, she graduated with honors from Newton High School. She continued with outstanding achievements at East Central Community College. After marriage and two children, she graduated from Mississippi College with special distinction and began a stellar career as an educator with the Forest public schools. She soon earned the National Board Certification for teachers.

On December 18, 1978, she became the bride of Bill Rigby, who shared many of her talents and interests. Together, they reared a daughter, Ginny, and a son, Anse, and the talents multiplied through their children.

In addition to full-time teaching, Regina, assisted by her husband, Bill, directed a long list of musicals and dramas for the Forest Community Arts and East Central Community College players. Many of her former students have expressed great appreciation for what she taught them through the disciplines of the classroom and the stage and, more importantly, through her exemplary Christian life.

She was an active member of the Forest United Methodist Church, having taught Sunday school and being a member and soloist in the choir. She was considered a Bible scholar, and she never stopped studying God’s Word. She was a gifted artist, actress, musician, composer, director, writer and her family, friends and the community cherish the memory of her remarkable abilities.

As Regina courageously fought her battle with cancer, she thanked God for Bill, her devoted husband of 28 years; her daughter Ginny Ivy and husband Dustin; granddaughter Sydney Klaire Ivy of Raleigh; her son, Anse; her mother, Ina Gibbs; her brothers, Randy Gibbs of Newton and Jeff Gibbs of Clifton; numerous nieces and nephews and a host of loving Rigby in-laws.

Regina was preceded in death by her father, Sidney Gibbs, Jr. and an infant daughter, Lillie Caitlin.

Pallbearers were Tommy Davis, Ronny Jones, Sid Salter, Hugh Carr, Steve Ware, Joey Rigby, Jeremy Gibbs, Jordan Gibbs and Tyler Rigby. Honorary pallbearers were Brenda Miles, Carol Ann Jones, Trudy Blalock, Gina Burns, Denise Hollingsworth, Martha Cleveland, Brooke Bagley, Leah Rigby, Connie Stewart, Brandon Chambers, Ryan Coulter, Matt Reynolds, Justin Hurdle, Jason Hurdle, Jess Dilley, Ryan Reeves, Wade Brown and Austin Wilbanks.

Memorials may be made to the Forest United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 68, Forest, MS 39074.