Barbara Gipe

Barbara Hale Gipe, 77, died on Thursday morning, Apri1 7, 2016. Barbara was the daughter of William Chamberlain Hale and Clara Cossaboom Hale. She married Robert LeRoy Gipe and they were happily married until his death in 1994. Barbara was born in Kingsport, TN and lived there most of her life. She graduated from Dobyns-Bennett High School and graduated first in her class from the ETSU School of Nursing. The majority of her working life was spent at Holston Valley Hospital as a Registered Nurse and administrator. She was a leader in bringing Hospice to our region. Barbara was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Kingsport, serving as an Elder, Deacon and High School youth leader. She was a member of the Junior League and the Kingsport Book Club.

Her greatest joy was her family and friends and their happiness. Her home was full of laughter and stories and open to those in need. She loved her dachshunds, tending flowers and collecting antiques. Her sense of humor is legendary.

She was a good woman. Barbara made the lives of other people better. She ran the race God set before her with joy and purpose. She finished strong.

She was preceded in death by Hope Lambert Gipe, Beth Reimer, Lois Hale, Hazel Best, Dr. James Hale, Margaret Silver, Bill Cossaboom and Jim Hale.

Barbara is survived by her sons Robert Gipe, and William Gipe and wife, Stacey; grandchildren: William Gipe, II and fiancée, Amber Dougherty and Laura Gipe; her twin brother, John Hale and wife, Gail; brother-in-law, Larry Gipe and his wife, JoAnn, and their son, Jason and wife, Alice and children, Knox and Anna Kate, and son, John David, wife, Becky and children, Samuel, Hannah and Mary; nieces and nephews, Dave Reimer and their children, Kaylie and Sarah, John Hale, Jr. and his son, John Michael, Katherine English and husband, Joel and their children, Caroline and Luke, Tommy Smith and wife, Tracy, and their children, Ali, Bo and Hannah, and Win Smith and wife, Helen, and son, Sully; and cousins, Susan Silver and husband, Terry Munz, Jim Silver, Bill Hale, William, Joseph, Vernon, Cory, David and Mari Cossaboom.

The graveside service will be held on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. Oak Hill Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Scott Warren, William Gipe, II, John Davison and Chad Correll. Honorary Pallbearers will be Harold W. Childress, Thomas R. Wilson, William G. Adams, Bennie Pierce and John W. Hale.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday at 1:30 pm at First Presbyterian Church with Rev. Sharon Amstutz officiating. The family will receive friends at the church following the service.


In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to First Presbyterian Church, c/o Mission Work, 100 W. Church Circle, Kingsport, TN 37660, or to KCMC, P.O. Box 1288, Kingsport, TN 37662.

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