Barbara Gipson

Barbara Gipson of Sallisaw loves children, books and teaching. So much that although she is semiretired, Gipson still teaches second graders as a reading specialist, two mornings a week at Liberty Elementary School.

“I‚ve been teaching all together for over 50 years. It‚s my passion. I figure that‚s what God called me to do,” Gipson said, smiling.

Gipson has taught not only at Liberty but also at East Side and the Sallisaw Middle School.

“Ever since I was in the fifth grade, I knew I would be a teacher. I had a teacher back then who was a very good teacher and she inspired me and I have always loved reading and that‚s what led me to become a teacher,” she said.

“I began teaching some students who are now adults and some are business professionals and I taught their children. When I see them time to time, some of them still call me ’Ms. Gipson,‚” she said.

“I‚ve also always loved children so that‚s another reason I went into teaching. I have a son and a daughter who are grown and I get to spend some time with my grandchildren. I have four grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren. They‚re so much fun to be around. We do things together when they come over such as playing Frisbee and other things. We play games and I read books to the baby who is one. I enjoy going to their activities such as dances and ballgames. I just enjoy being a grandma,” she said, smiling.

Gipson moved to Sallisaw in 1976 from Choctaw which is located south of Oklahoma City where she was teaching at the time but since her husband took a job in the area, they decided to relocate to Sallisaw. She decided to begin her teaching career in Sequoyah County at that time.

“I love it here. It‚s an excellent community which I believe has it all,” she said.

“We have the lakes and streams and beautiful hills and Sallisaw is located right off the interstate and our neighboring towns such as Muskogee and Tulsa are really not that far away. I also enjoy the people here. I think we have some of the most friendliest people around. It‚s just a great place to live,” she said.

Gipson also teaches Sunday School at First Baptist Church in Sallisaw where she has attended many years. She teaches first and second graders every Sunday, she said.

On Wednesdays, she and her daughter and the other ladies in the church prepare a meal for the children in what they call their “Meal and Bible” night.

“We feed the youth. Most times we have any where from 75 to 100 youth who come here on a Wednesday night. We discuss the menu and prepare what we think they would like to eat. It‚s also something else I enjoy,” she said.

Gipson said her biggest contribution to her church is teaching and is thankful it is not singing.

“I tell people Bill Aydelott bribes me not to sing,” she said, laughing.

“Oh my gosh! I would sound like a frog!”

Just Folks. Just Folks is Your TIMES way of honoring the regular people of Sequoyah County, recognizing their unique talents, personalities, jobs, abilities, etc. Your TIMES appreciates the cooperation of each Just Folks and the public‚s nominations for this feature. If you know of someone you think might be a good story, contact Roy or Lynn at 918-775-4433.