WILLIAM ROBERT KENDRICK GIBBS

William Robert Kendrick Gibbs, b November 12, 1885 in Rockdale, Milam County, Texas, d December 24, 1967 in Marlin, Falls County, Texas and buried in the Stranger Cemetery, was the ninth of thirteen children born to James Henry Gibbs, b 1832 in England, d February 14, 1890 at Rockdale, and his wife, Sarah Frances (Talley) Gibbs, b August 10, 1850 in Weakley County, Tennessee, d March 22,1918 at Barclay, Falls County, Texas and buried in the Barclay Cemetery.

Sarah Frances Talley's parents were John Herbert Talley, b 1819 in Virginia, d ca 1902 in Milam County, Texas and his wife, Panthea Matilda (Henderson) Talley, b 1825 in North Carolina, d April 1878 in Milam County, Texas, who came to Texas from Weakley County, Tennessee about 1860. John Herbert Talley was listed on the Texas Militia Roster of Milam County in 1861.

William Robert Kendrick Gibbs (called "Rob" and "R. K.") was only four years old when his father died, leaving seven minor children and an unborn daughter. On the 1900 Census of Falls County, Sarah (Talley) Gibbs stated she had "eight of thirteen children living." She moved to the community of Minerva (near Rockdale, Milam County), where "Rob" and his siblings grew up working on a rented farm.

On June 3, 1908 in Rockdale, Milam County, Texas, William Robert Kendrick Gibbs was married to Willie Laurine Lucas, b September 20, 1888 in Milam County, d June 15, 1988. Daughter of William James Lucas, b November 17, 1856 in Fayette County, Alabama, d April 6, 1896 in Milam County, Texas, and his wife, Laura Aylene Price, b February 21, 1856 in Alabama, d December 24, 1909 in Minerva, Milam County, Texas.

After their marriage, "Rob" and Willie rented a farm at Oenaville in Bell County, Texas where three of their six children were born. About 1915, they moved to a farm between Snead-Kasner and Barclay for four years, living on the Ocker farm. "Rob" later purchased a small farm near Rosebud, where the family lived until they moved in 1939 to Marlin, Texas. The "Great Depression" of 1929 resulted in the loss of the farm; so "Rob" bought a dump truck to use in building highways in Texas under the W.P.A. program to support his family. The children attended schools at Snead-Kasner, Barclay, and Rosebud, and they were active in the Baptist Church, the Boy Scouts, and other community activities. "Rob" was a Mason and Willie belonged to the American Red Cross Women's League at Barclay, where she helped make bandages and supplies during World War I, and taught a Sunday School Class. An effort was made to educate the children with five of six going to college. During World War II, "Rob" and Willie were "Three Gold Star" parents, with a sign in their window in Marlin. All three sons returned safely from the war. William Robert Kendrick and Willie Laurine (Lucas) Gibbs were the parents of six children, including a pair of twins:

Joseph Weldon Gibbs, b January 24, 1909 in Bell County, Texas, d January 8, 1965 in Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas - married Bess Allen Donaldson of Rosebud, Texas.

William Gaston Gibbs, b February 7, 1911 in Bell County, Texas, d February 27, 1983 in Austin, Travis County, Texas - married Katie Merle Scott of Durango, Texas.

Robert Woodrow Gibbs, b February 7, 1913 in Bell County, Texas, d March 1, 2006 - married first to Emma Ruby Jones of Rosebud, Texas. Then married to Pauline Rosa Goerdel of Hamilton, Texas.

Clifford Henry Gibbs - a twin, b July 8, 1916 in Barclay, Falls County, Texas, d November 6, 1974 in Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas - married Marion Whitfield Kemble of Fort Worth, Texas.

Laura Catherine Gibbs - a twin, b July 8, 1916 in Barclay, Falls County, Texas, d August 8, 1968 in Juarez, Mexico - married to Dr. Raul C. Soto of Juarez, Mexico.

Garland Gillis Gibbs, b May 3,1919 in Rosebud, Falls County, Texas, d July 1,1976 in Marlin, Texas and buried in Stranger Cemetery - married Marian Mitchell Garrett of Stranger, Texas.

During World War II, "Rob" sold his dump truck, remaining at home in Marlin to operate his son's Humble Station on the Courthouse Square. About ten years later, he and Willie moved to a farm in the Blue Ridge Community, where they raised chickens and were "caretakers" of Robert Woodrow Gibbs farm. In 1961, they moved to Marlin, where "Rob" died.

Copyright Permission granted to Theresa Carhart for printing the biographies of these Falls County Families to this Web page.
"Families of Falls County", Compiled and Edited by the Falls County Historical Commission, page 188 column 2, page 189 column 1 and 2 and page 190 column 1.  Member of Falls County Historical Commission.