Virginia E. Gibson

Virginia E. Gibson (Schroeder), the daughter of Jonas and Esther Ethel Dixon Base, was born in Galva, KS. She grew up on a farm outside of Newton, KS. She graduated from Newton High School in 1939, after which she attended Emporia State Teacher’s College and later graduated from the University of Wichita, receiving a Bachelor of Music degree. Some years later, she received a Master of Music Education degree from the Conservatory of Music at the University of Missouri Kansas City.

Professionally, she taught elementary vocal music in Mineral Wells, TX; Columbia, SC; and for twenty-five years in the Shawnee Mission District 512 in Johnson County. While raising her family, she taught private piano lessons at Friends University, Wichita, KS, and in her home for nineteen years.

She served six years on the Board of Directors of the Alumni Association of the University of Missouri Kansas City. She was a life member as well as a past president of a local elementary P.T.A. unit and served in many offices of the P.T.A. boards. She was a member of the National Educators Association, the National Music Educators Association, and the Kansas Music Educators Association. She was a past member of the National Guild of Piano Teachers. She was an active member of the Mu Phi Epsilon Music Fraternity and Kappa Kappa Iota International Teachers Sorority, having served as president of both organizations in the local chapters. She also was a member of Phi Kappa Lambda Honorary Music Fraternity.

She was a 50-year member of the Nova Chapter of the Eastern Star, serving as an organist for several years. She served as a cub scout leader of Boy Scouts and a brownie leader of Girl Scouts. She was a member of Indian Hills Country Club for 33 years. She was active in and belonged to the Old Mission United Methodist Church since 1948. She sang with the choir from 1970-2006, held many offices in the United Methodist Women, and taught Sunday School classes and Bible School. She served on the administrative board of the church. She belonged to the First Raitters/Yankee Sunday School Class for 72 years. She was an active member of the Johnson County Retired Teachers Association.

Virginia was married for 53 years to Sherman L. “Jack” Gibson, a prominent lawyer and professional musician. Nearly a decade after his death in 1996, she married Warren C. Schroeder, a high school classmate, engineer, and developer. He died in November 2012. She is survived by three children: Terrill Gibson (Rosabeth), Steilacoom, WA; Hoot Gibson (Kathleen), Lawrence, KS; Pam Bauer-Nolan (Jim) Leawood, KS. She is also survived by three grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Graveside services will be private. Donations in her honor may be made to Old Mission United Methodist Church, 5519 State Park Rd., Fairway, Ks. 66205.