Malenda Marie Gibson

Malenda Marie Gibson, age 58, of Versailles passed away June 9, 2020 at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri while undergoing heart surgery.

On April, 30 1962 she was born to Clifford H. Hales and Esther L. (Cowan) Hales in Independence, Missouri and was the youngest daughter of three.

During her early years, her parents moved to the Versailles area when she was young. At age nine she was diagnosed with Lupus but was a fighter from day one. She was involved in the local 4-H group, attended Bethel church, enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, and riding her horse named Ribbon. She was a 1980 graduate of the Morgan Co R-2 School in Versailles.

When Malenda met her future husband, Mark, she was a go getter, having three jobs. She was working for Jim and Linda Petty in their health food store, Clark Hunter at the Morgan County Courthouse and for the Bank of Versailles.

She was united in marriage on May 10, 1986 in Bakersfield, California to Mark S. Gibson; they had two sons while living in California.

Due to her lupus illness, they moved back to the Versailles area in 1990.

Malenda received a kidney transplant from the University of Missouri in 1991, and by the grace of God, her life was spared so that she could enjoy a total of thirty four years of marriage, see her children grow, and have grandchildren to love and cherish. She had great relationships with all her family members and dear friends.

She was a talented seamstress, had many hobbies, many interests, a deep love for animals, and a love especially for her dog Ringo.

Malenda and Mark owned and operated the West View Market in Versailles up until it closed a few years ago.

Survivors include her husband Mark S. Gibson of Versailles; step-daughter Lisa Woodruff, husband Blake, and their daughter Lilee of Simi Valley, California; son Garrett Gibson, wife Amie and their three children Braxton, Makenna, and Nolan of Camdenton; son Tyler Gibson of Versailles; sister Diana Holland and family of Warrensburg; sister Karen Miller, husband Jim, and family of Georgetown, Idaho; along with other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents Clifford Hales and Esther Cowan and stepfather William Cowan.

In keeping with her wishes she was cremated.

She was loved and will be missed by many family members and friends; she was a peaceful warrior never letting her illness keep her from the life she wanted and built!