Pauletta (Ross) Gibson, daughter of Lawrence and Palmer (Asplin) Ross, was born March 31, 1952. She was born at the family home near Summersville where she was raised.
Pauletta is preceded in death by her husband, Billy Sr., and her parents Lawrence and Palmer.
Pauletta grew up on the farm with her brother, Eugene, and as a teen she became a big sister to Kelly. She graduated in 1971 from Summersville High School. Following graduation, she lived for a time with friend, Vivian, in Houston, Missouri, and with friend, Wanda, in St. Louis, Missouri. Both ladies were her fondest friends.
Pauletta was living in the St. Louis area working for a charter bus company in 1981 when she met and then married Billy Gibson Sr. on Good Friday, April 17, 1981. She became stepmother to Carolyn, Cynthia and Christy. To the union they had Billy and Coletta.
Pauletta was Baptist as an adult and loved the Lord.
Pauletta enjoyed going to Alley Spring for picnics and camping and swimming in the rivers through the years. She enjoyed participating and helping with her kids’ school events and extracurricular activities throughout their school years. She was awarded an honorary FFA member award. Pauletta (Ma) adored her grandsons, Zachary (Little Man) and Blake (Little Cowboy). She enjoyed reading, listening to classic country music, Elvis Presley and had a collection of angels and chickens.
Pauletta is survived by her son, Billy Jr. (Jerra) Gibson of Houston; daughter, Coletta (Wesley) Ipock of Cabool; stepdaughters, Carolyn (Willie) Barnes, Cynthia (Ernesto) Perdomo and Christy (Jeffery) Longshore; brother, Eugene Ross of Summersville; sister, Kelly (Steve) Berry of Poplar Bluff; two grandsons, Zachary Ipock and Blake Gibson; niece, Andrea (Nick) Berry-McNamee; great-niece, Graylin McNamee; step grandÂdaughters, Kelsey Robertson, Kami Robertson and Brittany Barnes; and step grandson Evan Barnes.
Pauletta was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend who will be greatly missed by all. She will be forever in our hearts.
A visitation will be held from noon to 1 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7, 2025 for Pauletta, with a funeral beginning at 1 p.m. at Evans Funeral Home. Burial will take place at 1 p.m. Monday, Nov. 10, 2025, at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Springfield. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Evans Funeral Home of Houston. Online condolences may be left at www.evansfh.com. Memorial contributions may be made to the Ronald McDonald House.
