Gladyous Sue Kibbey, 79, passed away at home, surrounded by loved ones on Oct. 6, 2026.
Born Aug. 22, 1947, she was a beautiful, hardworking, strong-willed woman who believed in family and second chances. In her forties, she returned to school, earned her nursing degree, and became a registered nurse, fulfilling a dream she had carried for many years and proving it is never too late to change direction or begin again.
Those who knew her will remember her quick wit, sense of humor, determination and willingness to speak her mind. As the years passed, her warmth and patience became an even greater part of who she was, and she loved making others laugh.
She loved her pets, Tessa and Awney, and loved sports, especially Virginia Tech basketball; she watched every game she could, cheering on the Hokies from home.
She was a very smart woman, who understood that life is complicated, that people make mistakes. She believed people should be accepted for who they are and not judged for circumstances they did not choose.
She is survived by her husband, Roger Kibbey of Galax; her children, Marianne Hanseen of Mesquite, Nevada, David Harding (Dorinda) of Wytheville, Destry Harding (Stephanie Bell) of Christiansburg and Darren Buckland of Parrott; 12 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her siblings, Lois “Trish” Hollins, Joanne Roope, Kelly Smith, Danny Hamilton and JJ Sullivan; special cousin, Ann Hawkins; and many beloved cousins, nieces, nephews and other loved ones.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Hazel Hamilton and Houston Hamilton, and her great-grandchild, Kashton Howes.
Above all, she was proud of her family and loved them deeply. She leaves behind a legacy of hard work, resilience, laughter, forgiveness, love and the belief that where a person starts in life does not have to determine where they finish.
The family will receive friends 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026, at the Mullins Funeral Home in Radford.
The Kibbey family is in the care of Mullins Funeral Home & Crematory in Radford.
