Mark A. Gibson

Mark Anthony Gibson, 56, of rural Paragould, passed from this life on Friday, August 9, 2024, at Regional One Health Medical Center in Memphis from injuries sustained in a two-vehicle accident on Highway 18, west of Lake City.

Mark was born in Jonesboro to Jerry L. and Betty Kirksey Gibson. He was a 1986 graduate of Westside High School and earned a professional degree as an Emergency Medical Technician-Ambulance (EMT-A) from Delta Vocational Technical School two months prior to his high school graduation. Mark was a graduate of the Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science and was a dual-licensed funeral professional as an embalmer and funeral director. He lived in Jonesboro, Trumann, Marion, and again in Jonesboro before moving to Greene County in 2010.

Mark worked a few years at both Emerson Ambulance Service and Emerson Funeral Home before returning to Delta's Professional Paramedic Program and earning the advanced degree of EMT-Paramedic. Mark made a decision to devote all of his work into emergency medicine and began a 28-year career with West Memphis Fire Department, retiring as Charge Paramedic. He also continued working as a Paramedic for Emerson Ambulance Service, achieving 38 years of service.

Mark also served as a certified law enforcement officer, working for the Police Departments in Manila, Leachville, and West Memphis. He also served as Deputy Coroner in Craighead, Mississippi, and Crittenden counties before his retirement.

Mark was a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge and was a Shriner. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and being on Lake Norfork with his family and friends. His greatest joy, however, came from being with his family, especially those wonderful grandchildren. Mark was preceded in death by his father, Jerry Lee Gibson.

Survivors include his wife of 16 years, Cheri Gibson, of the home, married February 15, 2008;

his mother, Betty Kirksey Gibson of rural Paragould;

son and daughter-in-law, Dylan and Brieanna Gibson of Jonesboro;

bonus children, Tanya Cole of West Memphis and Lonnie Cole of Paragould; and

7 grandchildren: Haven Morrow, Hadlee Gibson, Khy Cole, Finn Cole, Jett Cole, Collier Gibson and Paxton Williams.

Visitation will be from 4:00-8:00 p.m. Wednesday at Emerson Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday at Central Baptist Church, 3707 Harrisburg Road in Jonesboro, with Larry Gibson and Danny Wisely officiating. Burial will follow in Jonesboro Memorial Park with Fire Department Paramedic Honors.

Active pallbearers include Chris Hill, Donnie Griggs, Andrew Henry, Brady Clark, Bryan Crites and Brad Hitchcock. Honorary pallbearers are Mark's children Dylan Gibson, Tanya Cole and Lonnie Cole.