08/29/2009 - LAUREL - A memorial service is at 2 p.m. Tuesday at St. John's Episcopal Church for Crawford Denton Gibbes Jr., 87, of Laurel, who died Aug. 29, 2009, at St. Dominic's Hospital in Jackson.

Mr. Gibbes attended Laurel schools and was a graduate of Tulane University and the University of Mississippi School of Law. During World War II, he served in the 119th Infantry Regiment, 30th Division. He was a senior partner in the law firm of Gibbes, Graves, Mullins, Bullock and Ferris for many years, and retired from the practice of law after 42 years. He was an active member of the Jones County Chamber of Commerce.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Patricia Fowler Gibbes; and his parents Mr. and Mrs. Crawford Denton Gibbes Sr.

Survivors include his wife, Joyce Blomquist Gibbes; four sons, John Patrick Gibbes, Michael Thomas Gibbes and Roy Foote Watson, all of Laurel, and Crawford D. Gibbes III of Jackson ; a daughter Cynthia Watson Calvert of Orange Beach, Ala.; and eight grandchildren.

A reception will be held following the service in the Parish House of St. John's Episcopal Church.

Memorials may be made to St. John's Episcopal Church, the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art or Special Olympics of Mississippi, P.O. Box 2115, Madison, MS 39110.

Memory Chapel Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.