Obituaries: Gaither, 46, dies after battle with cancer
One day before her death Kimberly Kay Gaither conducted a review session for one of her classes at Oklahoma Christian University. Gaither, 46, died Nov. 19 in Oklahoma City after a four-year battle with cancer.
She “demonstrated for students the integration of faith and learning,”said Jeanine Varner, Oklahoma Christian’s vice president for academicaffairs. “Her love of the Lord, her love of her students, her love ofbiology — all were intertwined. Students were drawn to her because theyknew she was the real thing.”
The daughter of missionaries to Norway, Gaither graduated from OklahomaChristian and earned a doctorate from the University of Oklahoma HealthSciences Center. She joined the faculty of Oklahoma Christian in 1988and served as professor of biology.
She was a member of the Quail Springs church, Oklahoma City, where shetaught youth Bible classes and participated in many outreachactivities. She continued to stay active in her church and professionallife after she was diagnosed with cancer. Hundreds of mourners attendedher funeral Nov. 23 at the Quail Springs church. Survivors include herhusband, David, a son, a daughter, her parents, a sister and twobrothers.
CarolBowling
CarolGunselman Bowling, 54, died Nov. 17 in Searcy, Ark. The daughter of longtimemissionaries to the Philippines,she taught at Ezell-Harding Christian School,Nashville, Tenn.,and in the tutoring center at Harding University, Searcy.
Survivorsinclude her husband, Jerry, a daughter, her mother and two brothers.
LouiseDixon
LouiseCowan Dixon, 100, died Nov. 9 in Memphis, Tenn. Born in Jefferson City, Tenn., shemarried H.A. Dixon in 1929. H.A. Dixon was a longtime minister and president ofFreed-Hardeman University,Henderson, Tenn., from 1950 to 1969. Louise Dixon wasthe school’s “first lady” and was instrumental in founding the FHU Associates,which raises funds for student scholarships. Survivors include a son, adaughter, seven grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and agreat-great-grandchild.
BillGibson
BillGibson, 79, died Nov. 28 in Vinita, Okla. Born in Greenland, Ark., he married Vell Gibson, whopreceded him in death in 2004. He ministered for 54 years, serving churches in Oklahoma, Kansas, Iowa and Texas.From 1988 to 2001 he was minister for the Vinita church. He was preceded indeath by a son. Survivors include a daughter, a son, two grandchildren and twobrothers.
GuyOrbison
GuyOrbison Sr., 81, died Nov. 9 in Harlingen, Texas. He was a minister for 52years, serving churches in Texas.He helped establish the Northside church, Brownsville, Texas. He was a missionary in Wyoming and Minnesota.Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Billie Sue, two daughters, two sons, ninegrandchildren, six great-grandchildren, his mother and a brother.
TommyShaver
ThomasAustin Shaver, 77, died Nov. 28 in Abilene, Texas. He was a professor ofBible at Abilene Christian Universityfor 40 years. Born in Healdton, Okla., he earned a doctorate from Southwestern BaptistTheological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas.
Heand his wife, Waunette, spent their summers as missionaries in Vienna, Austria.He also served as minister for churches throughout Texas.
Survivorsinclude his wife, a daughter, a son, four grandchildren and a brother.
