C Alton Gibson

C. Alton Gibson departed this life on Friday, November 8, 2013. He was born on June 21, 1926, in Florence, SC to the late Nelson Benjamin, Sr., and Erma Touchberry Gibson. At 17, as a member of our Greatest Generation, he proudly served his country in the US Navy aboard the USS Gage APA 168, where he was a part of both the Nagasaki and Hiroshima war efforts. Upon his return home to Florence after WWII, he worked at the railroad before opening a series of convenience stores around town; he continued to own and operate these businesses, including the Gibson’s One Stop on West Palmetto Street, until his retirement in 1999. He was also a member of the Florence VFW and American Legion and served as Commander for both organizations. As a master carpenter and welder, he could often be found in his workshop, where he built everything from flowerboxes to a bedroom suite. He also loved to spend time in his garden, where he grew tomatoes, beans, and cucumbers to share with family and friends. Those left to carry on his legacy are his wife of 67 years, Ruth Gibson, and his daughter, Bonnie Hutto, and son-in-law, Danny Hutto, and his daughter Arlene Vereen, and son-in-law Jerry Vereen. He is also survived by his siblings, Ray Gibson,Judy Baker (Rhett), and Pat Gibson;his grandchildren, Ronald Watford, Jr., Justin Watford (Allison), Bonnie Sturkie (Kevin), Natalie Vereen-Davis (Landon), and Amber Vereen; and his great-grandchildren, Kayla and Braxton Sturkie, Britton Davis, and Preston Watford. A military service in honor of Alton will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 12, 2013, at the Florence National Cemetery directed by Stoudenmire-Dowling funeral Home.A visitation will be held at the funeral home from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Flowers should be sent to Stoudenmire-Dowling Funeral Home or in lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the American Cancer Society, P. O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718 or to the Independence Fund, Inc., 32379 Collection Center Dr., Chicago, IL 60693-0323 Please sign the tribute wall for Mr. Gibson at the obit section of www.stoudenmiredowling.com.