Mabel Emeline (Foster) Gibson

March 18, 1894 – April 3, 1990

Former Perryan Mabel Foster Gibson, 96, died Tuesday at Rolla, Mo.

Born at Perry, March 18, 1894, she was the daughter of George A. and Sarah Rebecca (Deppen) Foster.

She graduated from Perry high school in 1914. Possessing a most remarkable voice, she was a student of Oscar Seigle in New York City and abroad at Nice, France. In 1924 she accepted a position at Oklahoma A. & M. College to teach voice and direct the girls’ glee club. Miss Foster was known as the “Oklahoma Nightingale,” as she had broadcasted many times at several radio stations.

She was a member of the First Presbyterian church at Perry.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Orville Savage, who operated a furniture business in Perry at the southwest corner of the square many years. Her second husband, Dr. Gibson, also preceded her.

Among survivors are one daughter, Sara Shackelford, Rolla; one son, George Savage, Houston, Texas; two stepsons, Dr. Bob Gibson, Ponca City, Okla.; and Dr. Charles Gibson, Chickasaw, Okla.; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Graveside rites will be at 3 p.m. Friday at Grace Hill cemetery at Perry under direction of Atkisson-Swinfard Funeral home of Rolla.