Betty King Culbreath Gibbons of Tampa passed away on August 29, 2014. She was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, H. L. Culbreath, Jr.; her husband of 8 years, Congressman Sam M. Gibbons; and her parents O.W. and Esther King. Betty was born outside of Ardmore, OK on December 7, 1921 and moved to Tampa at an early age. She attended Wilson JHS, Plant HS, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and graduated from Florida State College for Women. At FSCW, she was a member of Kappa Delta sorority, the Tarpon Club, and the Village Vamps. Betty married H. L. in 1944 upon his graduation from the United States Naval Academy. Becoming a Navy wife, they lived in Boston, NYC, San Francisco, Norfolk and Washington, DC.; returning to Tampa in 1954. In 2004, Betty married long time family friend and widower, Congressman Sam Gibbons. Sam and Betty enjoyed their companionship and their travels. They resided at Canterbury Towers in Tampa. Betty was a member of St. Andrews Episcopal Church and the St. Monica’s Guild. She was a past president of the Kappa Delta Alumni Association and the founding president of the H. B. Plant Museum Society. She was active in community organizations including The Chislers and The Berkeley Blazers. She was a member of the Tampa Yacht & Country Club, an avid sailor and world traveler. Betty had a great sense of adventure and a zest for life. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends. Betty is survived by her daughter, Kay Culbreath Heller (Roderick); son, H. Lee Culbreath III (Lynn); grandchildren, Mark M. Culbreath, Hugh L. Culbreath, IV, (Rachel); great-grandchildren, Hunter and Avery Culbreath. She is also survived by her step-sons; Clifford Sam Gibbons (Terri), Mark Gibbons, and Timothy M. Gibbons, and their children. The family wishes to thank the devoted care givers of Home Helpers and the staff of the Canterbury Health Center. A memorial service and celebration of her life will take place at 11:30 a.m. Friday, September 5th at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Hopewell Church Cemetery Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 320384, Tampa, FL 33679 or a charity of your choice.
Blount Curry Macdill FH