HENDERSON, Tenn.(BNc) — Eugene Hibbett, 80, retired longtime science teacher at Freed-Hardeman (FHC) died Saturday, Oct. 6.
Hibbett leaves behind his wife Jacqueline, daughter and son-in-law Lynne and Kevin Moore, and son and daughter-in-law Lee and Sarah Hibbett, and four grandchildren, Loren and Kaitlyn Moore, and Elizabeth and Rachel Grace Hibbett. He is also survived by three brothers, George Hibbett of Florence, Ala., Ike Hibbett of Montgomery, Ala., and James Hibbett of Riverton, Ill.
Hibbett, professor emeritus of physical science had been diagnosed with meningitis as a result of West Nile virus. He died at Select Specialty Hospital at St. Frances in Memphis.
John Gaines said of Hibbett, “I had him only for a summer school math class, but he was one of my favorite FHC people.”
In a tribute to her father-in-law, Sarah Hibbett wrote of Hibbett:
Our precious Papa Gene has gone home and now is well. As several have expressed “he was the best man I’ve ever known”. As I fixed my coffee in the hotel lobby yesterday, I spoke to a lady who was doing the same. Her husband was also in the hospital, and when I told her who I was and why we were there, she took my hands and kissed them and said “your father-in-law was the best teacher my son ever had and he helped him in so many ways”. What a tribute from a stranger – God sends reminders of His love in the most unexpected ways. Kaitlyn summed up all of our feelings well when she said to her grandfather, “I want to be just like you!” What a noble goal for anyone who knew him.
Funeral services are to be held Monday, Oct 8., at 2:00 p.m. at the Estes congregation in Henderson, Tenn., where he served as an elder for 18 years.
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