Edward Roy Gibson

Edward Roy “Ed” Gibson, age 48, passed away unexpectedly on April 21, 2025, at his home in Evans, GA. A native of Colquitt, GA, Ed was the beloved only child of Shelva Barber Gibson and the late Marlin Durden Gibson.

In addition to his Father, he was preceded in death by his grandparents: Evelyn and Edward “Ed” Gibson (Colquitt GA), and Jewel and Roy Barber (Brinson GA); mother-in-law and father-in-law Sandra Willis Hudson and Larry W. Hudson (Cairo GA), Aunt Leslie Barber (Brinson, GA).

Cherished survivors include his wife, Misty Hudson Gibson (Evans, GA); son, Wyatt Edward Gibson (Evans, GA); and Mama, Shelva Barber Gibson (Colquitt, GA).

Other family includes Uncle, Jeff Barber (Brinson GA); Aunt, Maxine Torbert (Colquitt GA); Aunt, Edwina Stokes (Jim) (Petal MS); Aunt, Marjean Boyd (Thomasville GA); Sister-in-law, Melanie Anderson (Blake) (Cairo GA); Brother-in-law, Michael Hudson (Jessica) (Douglas GA); Cousins: Taylor Barber and Jake Barber (Brinson GA); Stephanie Barber (Blakeley GA); Michael Barber (Brinson GA); Thad Flowers (Warner Robbins GA); Krystal Draughn (Mississippi); Nieces and Nephews: Mason, Marleigh, McKenna, Marlee, and Maddie; fur-babies, Maddie (mean cat); Moose (obese orange cat); Bear (shy cat); Stoney (outside cat he didn’t want, but actually liked); and Ozzy (new puppy who brought much joy to the family).

Ed grew up in Colquitt, GA, and graduated from Miller County High School in 1995. He was active as a baseball player and enjoyed all aspects of rural life in Georgia, where his family farmed. He was a fervent fan of the University of Georgia Bulldogs football and a loyal fan of the Atlanta Braves. After graduating from nursing school in 2000 (Valdosta State University for an Associate's Degree and Albany State University with a BSN ), Ed worked in the ICU at Archbold Memorial Hospital (Thomasville, GA). While working night shift there, he met the love of his life, Misty Hudson, a fellow RN. They moved to Augusta, GA, in 2004, where Misty graduated from the Nurse Anesthesia program at the Medical College of Georgia in 2007. Ed followed suit, graduating as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist in 2009. Ed joined the anesthesia practice at Trinity Hospital of Augusta, quickly becoming one of the most clinically proficient CRNAs in the Augusta area. He then worked at the Augusta Vascular Center before joining the Anesthesia Consultants of Augusta at Doctors Hospital. Since then, Ed has been a cornerstone of the anesthesia group, traveling back and forth to Burke Health, where he loved caring for Orthopedic patients, covering cases at the Augusta Surgical Center, or staffing the Main Hospital (Doctors Hospital), here in Augusta. Ed was beloved by staff, surgeons, and patients alike. He had an easy charm, quick wit, and a big, beautiful smile that instantly put you at ease. People gravitated to him as a friend and colleague; he was a “people-magnet”. He developed many close friendships due to his career, but none more impactful than meeting John Frederick, MD, who quickly became his best friend. They shared a truly irreverent sense of humor, like two errant teens, and enjoyed pursuing a common interest in athletics by participating in triathlons, gravel bike races, and other events throughout the United States. Ed and Misty took many wonderful trips with John and his wife Dagni, in addition to hanging out frequently by the pool, grilling out, trick-or-treating with their children, and spending many holiday celebrations together.

Ed may have been an only child, but that changed 15 years ago when he and Misty met a fellow CRNA at Trinity Hospital named Holly Holman, Facebook famous as “Aunt Holly” to Wyatt. She and Ed truly acted like brother and sister, fighting and constantly picking at each other. While they each tested the other's nerves to no end, they shared many life experiences over the years that made their bond simply special. They shared a passion for gardening and all things plants, and he loved to call her the “Dirt Doctor” because she is a Master Gardener.

Ed was fiercely protective of and loyal to the people he loved. He was the most devoted son, talking to his Mama at least once daily. Long, in-depth, meaningful discussions, not just cursory “check-ins”. He and Misty loved that their careers allowed them to take Ms. Shelva (and Misty’s Dad) on many wonderful trips: New York City, Disney, St Simons Island, skiing, concerts, to name a few. It was never a question or out of duty that Ed and Misty wanted their parents to come along: family is everything to them, and making memories and having adventures together was a joy. Similarly, Ed was very close to his Uncle, Jeff. Their age was only a few years difference, as Jeff is Ms. Shelva’s “baby brother”. Ed and Jeff had a relationship similar to that of close brothers. Ed loved talking for hours on the phone with Jeff, just kicking news around or talking all things “farm”. Jeff readily transported big equipment to Evans as Ed tackled projects such as removing big trees, leveling the landscape, creating an expansive green space, growing an enviable lawn from specialty seed, propagating and planting unique camellias, and creating a garden that reflected his vision for the property that he and Misty renovated. He was passionate about carving the beauty out of the 5 acres of woodland they bought 6 years ago. Ed’s work ethic was manifested by the thousands of hours he dedicated to nurturing the land. Though it wasn’t an interest in his earlier adulthood, Ed embraced his family’s legacy of farming/working the land, which brought him full circle. We will always keep a mental photo in our hearts of Ed outside in his large straw hat, dripping in sweat, cussing the deer that were his arch-enemies, even though he bought land on a road named Deer Run.

One of Ed’s lasting interests was his absolute deep connection to music. He adored the jam band Widespread Panic, and he and Misty traveled all over the U.S. attending shows and gathering with friends who were also devoted to following WP’s every move. He loved nothing more than dancing at a concert, wearing his t-shirt, Chaco’s, and shorts, raising a glass of cold beer, singing every lyric, and raising a fist in the air with a loud “Woo-Hoo” when the band ripped into one of his favorite tunes. He and Misty attended the New Year’s Eve series of shows in Atlanta for many years running. On December 29, 2016, Ed loudly lamented missing the run of shows that year. But at 7:30 am that morning, he changed his tune as Misty and Ed welcomed the light of their lives, son Wyatt Edward, into the world. That night, Ed held Wyatt in his arms for hours and live-streamed the Panic show in the hospital room. No complaints, just bliss. Life as a Dad was the absolute joy of his life, and the last 8 years with Wyatt have been the most wonderful for Misty, Ed, Ms. Shelva, and their extended close-knit circle of family and friends.

Wyatt is at the stage where he is active in sports, and Ed and Misty have both served as baseball coaches for the last 2 years (Spring and Fall ball). Ed and Wyatt have had an extremely close relationship, playing ball together most evenings or just enjoying being outside. Ed loved watching sports with Wyatt, attending UGA games, teaching him to ride a bike, nurturing his love of the outdoors, and too many other pursuits and interests to detail. Wyatt has many of Ed’s traits. Hard-headed and stubborn to the core, for sure, which served Ed well (mostly) and will no doubt give Wyatt strength as he grows into a young man. Wyatt very much has Ed’s outgoing and social personality. Neither has ever met a stranger. That special trait comes straight from Ed’s beloved Daddy, Mr. Marlin.

It is impossible to concisely describe Ed because he pursued so many interests and excelled at all. He passionately participated in cycling for many years; home-brewed beer with his pal John Wohlstadter (combining an interest in science with the love of a good brew); was a master with anything on the grill or smoker; loved to clean and do laundry (total neat-nick); served as a Gallery Guard on the 16th hole of the Masters since 2012; collected rare bottles of bourbon and loved to source limited edition beer; wore giant watches and had a love of expensive running shoes; and had a deep affection for his pets, which he often downplayed or denied. He was unable to hide his favoritism for Moose, the tubby “diabetical” orange boy who was his best bud. Ed was truly a Renaissance Man…he worked at everything he pursued until he mastered it. His stubbornness, intelligence, abundance of common sense, and zest for life translated into a life that was indeed well-lived.

And lastly, Ed was deeply in love with his soulmate, Misty, whom he met 25 years ago. They were as different as night and day, yet the combination was magic. They picked on one another, needled each other, tolerated and accepted each other’s moods, but in the big scheme of things, their relationship was beautiful, solid, faithful, and steadfast. They carved out careers together in the demanding medical field of anesthesia, enjoyed their early adulthood together traveling and being free, and then they created a family together by changing their minds about having children at the age of 40, welcoming Wyatt into their lives. As parents, they each brought unique strengths to raising their son, and it was the defining era of their lives.

For many years, Ed’s Mama has had a favorite one-liner about her son: “My baby’s perrrfect!”, emphasizing the “perfect”, said in a very drawn-out Southern manner. It always elicited the same response from the group of people nearby: eye rolls, laughter, and efforts to dispute the statement. Ed would stand there, cocky grin plastered on his face, and say something in response like “Hey Man, you callin’ my Mama a liar?”

As it turns out, Mama always knows best, and Ms. Shelva was correct: Ed Gibson was perfect for us: the most incredible husband, father, son, and friend imaginable. His life was a beautiful ride, and we are thankful to have been on the journey with him.

“In Heaven, the band plays our favorite song. They play it one more time, they play it all night long” - WP

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in the memory of Ed Gibson to:

Augusta Canal National Heritage Area

1450 Greene Street

Suite 400

Augusta, Georgia 30901

(706) 823-0440