After a wonderful 107 years on earth Naomi A. Gibeson passed on to be with her Lord on August 30, 2022. She leaves a large hole in our hearts. She was an active friend and mentor to many, including family and neighbors over a long lifetime. She will be remembered for her gentleness, kindness and generosity to others. She rarely, if ever, missed a family event, many of which she sponsored. Naomi was a long time member of the Highland Park United Methodist Church, Topeka, Kansas.
Naomi was born the second child of five to Watt W. Kitchen and Francelia (Jernigan), Kitchen on May 30, 1915 in Lyndon, Kansas. She graduated from the Lyndon school system and went on to Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas. She graduated with a Bachelor of Education degree and taught elementary school in the Topeka school system for many years. She was from a family of teachers as both of her sisters were educators.
Naomi enjoyed her vegetable garden and her flowers. She always had the richest and most beautiful peonies and iris just in time for Memorial Day. Her whole family always looked to her for guidance and arranging the get togethers for family reunions, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Naomi was a caregiver for her father for the last several years of his life, which allowed him to be much more independent.
Naomi was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Robert Gibeson, a long time member of Orient Lodge #51 A.F. & A.M.; her second husband, Max Baker, a veteran of WWII in the Pacific theater; her older brother, Ellis Lynn Kitchen and wife Delleva E. Kitchen; sister, Mary Mae Moffet and husband Frederick Moffet, and second husband Delbert Tibbets; brother Oliver A. Kitchen and wife Shirley Kitchen; and brother-in-law, Dr. Harold Irick.
Naomi’s life could be described as faithful, loving and kind with a bit of frugality sprinkled in, which she passed on to all who would hear. She enjoyed very much folks paying a visit and was quite interested in you and what you were doing as well as remembrances and what the future might hold. Naomi enjoyed good health and sound mind thought her lifetime. She, like her father, was always happy for a new day.
She is survived by her sister and sacrificial caregiver Audrey Irick and a number of nephews, a niece and many great and great, great nephews and nieces.
A graveside service is schedule to be held at 10 a.m. on September 2, 2022 at the Burlingame, Kansas cemetery with Lisa Setty, Chaplin, Ascend Hospice, officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Porter Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library, or the charity of your choice.