PILOT MOUNTAIN — The Rev. Thomas Wallace Gibson, 81, of Pilot Mountain, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2010, at the Joan & Howard Woltz Hospice Home. He was born in Stokes County on Dec. 14, 1928, to the late James Millard and Jettie Collins Gibson. Wallace was retired from Taylor Brothers Tobacco Company in Winston-Salem and also enjoyed farming. He was a very generous man and shared his time and resources with the community. Wallace accepted the call to preach in 1974 and served churches in North Carolina and Virginia. He established Gospel Baptist Church in Pilot Mountain, where he served as pastor from 1980 to 2006. Wallace is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Helen Payne Gibson; two daughters, Delores G. Church and her husband, Steve, of Welcome and Carolyn G. Brinkley and her husband, Stan, of Pilot Mountain; three sons, Thomas W. Gibson Jr. and his wife, Lisa, of Pilot Mountain, Timothy M. Gibson and his wife, Robin, of Pilot Mountain and Gary W. Gibson and his wife, Pam, of Pinnacle; 10 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and was happily anticipating the birth of two additional great-grandchildren. Wallace is also survived by one sister, Peggy G. Beck of Pilot Mountain; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and cousins. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, C. Paul Gibson; and one sister, Irene G. Poteat. The service to celebrate Wallace’s life will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 19, 2010, at First Baptist Church of Pilot Mountain with the Revs. Bernard Handy and Gene Sherrill officiating. Prior to the service, the body will lie in state from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the church sanctuary. The family will receive friends immediately following the service in the church fellowship hall. Wallace will be laid to rest at the Gibson Family Cemetery. Floral contributions are welcome, or memorial contributions may be made to the Joan & Howard Woltz Hospice Home in Dobson, 945 Zephyr Road, Dobson, NC 27017; the Gibson Family Cemetery Fund, c/o Southern Community Bank, Pilot Mountain; or donor’s choice. Cox-Needham Funeral Home of Pilot Mountain, www.coxneedham.com, is assisting the Gibson family.