Barbara Pouncey Gibson

Barbara Pouncey Gibson, of Troy, passed away at home surrounded by her family on Wednesday, February 19, 2025. Funeral services will be at 2:00pm on Saturday, February 22, 2025 at Green Hills Funeral Home with a reception to greet friends following the service. Burial will be at Green Hills Memorial Cemetery. 

Barbara was born in Montgomery, Alabama, and was the second of four brothers and one sister. She graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in Montgomery, where she was a cheerleader and class beauty. After graduation, Barbara was hired as a legal secretary at a law firm in Montgomery, where she worked for about nine years. She married Alex Harris, also from Montgomery, and they had a daughter, Ashley Harris, in January 1972. Soon after, the family moved to Troy due to a new job Alex accepted.

Barbara was involved in several civic organizations after moving to Troy, but her first priority was always Ashley. She began managing the books for Allstate Beverage Company and continued until the early ’90s. She was very involved in Ashley’s education and activities throughout junior high and high school.

After Ashley enrolled at the University of Alabama in the fall of 1990, Barbara added real estate agent to her list of accomplishments. Following a divorce, she was blessed with a new marriage to Gussie Gibson. She and Gussie enjoyed time on Gibson Hill and attending Cushman motorcycle conventions. Before long, she became the executive assistant to the director of the Choctawhatchee, Pea, and Yellow Rivers Watershed Management Authority. Later, she was named the Executive Director of this state agency. Barbara was a respected authority on water management in South Alabama and played a role in the water disputes among Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. Additionally, she was a member of the Wiregrass Forum.

Barbara retired from the state agency after nearly three decades of service. She was a loving grandmother who cherished her time with her grandchildren and took great joy in spoiling them.

After years of being a widow, Barbara found love and companionship with Stuart Wells. They enjoyed “pizza night” and spending time together admiring the beautiful view from his property.

Ashley and the family will deeply miss Barbara. She was a strong and dedicated woman who never understood the words “I can’t.” Her family loved her dearly and was proud of the remarkable woman, mother, wife, grandmother, and loved one she was.

Loving survivors include her daughter, Ashley Harris DeGaris (Annesley); stepchildren, Dena Gibson Byars (Jack), David Todd Gibson (Mabeth); grandchildren, John Annesley DeGaris III, Isabella Loring DeGaris, Eva Margaux DeGaris; step grandchildren, Deanna Gibson Jones (Patrick), Nancy Gibson Heninger (Sean), Jackson Van Buren Byars (Mary Joanna Melton), Gibson Walker Byars; 6 step great grandchildren; siblings, Denise Lila Downing, James Henry Pouncey (Shelia); sister-in-law, Billie Pouncey; as well as several nieces and nephews. 

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Trois & Ralphine Pouncey; husband, Gussie Gibson; and her siblings, George Pouncey, Ronnie Pouncey, and Robbie Pouncey. 

The staff of Green Hills Funeral Home is honored to serve the Gibson family.