Neal-Tarpley Parchman Funeral Home Reporting
news@clarksvillenow.com
Margaret Elizabeth Cox Bibb passed from this life to her eternal home on April 22, 2014, at Spring Meadows Care Center. Margaret was born Aug. 31, 1916, in Knoxville, Tenn., and was the youngest of four children born to James T. Cox and Margaret Elizabeth Lyman Cox. She was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Dr. H. Leon Bibb, along with her siblings Lyman Cox, Parmenas Cox and Emmy Lou Cox Dowdy.
She is survived by two sons: David L. Bibb (Rebecca) of Woodbridge, Va., and Jeffrey V. Bibb (Sharon) of Clarksville. Her grandchildren are Elizabeth Bibb Binder (Grant), Jonathan Bibb, Landon Bibb (Megan Rabbitt) and Chelsey Bibb. Great grandchildren are Hudson Binder and Emma Lou Bibb.
Margaret graduated from Bell Buckle High School (1934), earned a two-year degree from Martin (Methodist) College (1936) and a B.S. degree from Middle Tennessee State (1940). She taught school out of college, but became a civilian employee of the Army Air Forces during WW II. She and her husband settled in Clarksville in 1952 when Dr. Bibb joined the APSU faculty. The Bibbs were charter member of Hilldale United Methodist Church, where she held a wide variety of responsibilities in both the local and connected church. She was active in many aspects of her community, including leadership roles in the Clarksville-Montgomery County Unified PTA, Clarksville Federation of Women’s Clubs, Beachaven Garden Club, University Women’s Club and Women’s Society of Christian Service.
Her avocations were many and were mostly shared with Dr. Bibb, highlighted by gardening, hosting and supporting foreign students, APSU Governors athletics and extensive worldwide travels. She also taught piano from her home for many years.
Visitation will be at Neal-Tarpley-Parchman.Funeral Home from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. Thursday, and from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Hilldale United Methodist Church on Friday, immediately followed by a Celebration of Life in the church sanctuary officiated by the Rev. Charles “Skip” Armistead, and assisted by the Rev. Richard Gaia.
Pallbearers will be: Landon Bibb and Jonathan Bibb (grandsons), Jimmy Cox, Dr. Lee Dowdy, Richard Bibb and Harold Bibb (nephews) and Wesley Bossard and Frank Lott (family friends).
Honorary pallbearers will be the Dr. Bibb Discussion Class of Hilldale UMC.
In lieu of flowers, gifts can be directed to: Memorial Committee, Attn: Margaret Bibb Fund, Hilldale United Method Church, 1751 Madison St., Clarksville, Tenn. 37043.
The family wishes to express gratitude to the dedicated caregivers, Spring Meadows staff and the Asera Care Hospice team that provided unwavering support and nurturing love for Margaret.
Arrangements entrusted to Neal-Tarpley-Parchman Funeral Home, 1510 Madison Street, Clarksville, TN 37040; (931) 645-6488.
Online condolences may be made at www.neal-tarpley.com.