Nellie Faye Cribb Gibson Hollinger

Nellie Faye Cribb Hollinger (Gibson, 1968-1997, Wid.), age 86, formally of Laurel Hill, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on February 9, 2025 at South Hill Village Retirement Community in Spokane Washington. She was born in McColl, South Carolina on December 22, 1938 to Liston B. and Callie Smith Cribb. Shortly after, the family moved to Laurel Hill. Nellie Faye was the valedictorian of the 1956 Laurel Hill High School graduating class and went on to receive her Bachelors of Arts in Education from Flora McDonald College in Red Springs, North Carolina. She then began her teaching career in Fayetteville, NC. She had a gift for working with middle school children. A few years later, she met and married her sweetheart, Rufus Gibson, also of Laurel Hill. They lived 29 happy years together before his death in 1997. Twelve years later, she met and married the second love of her life, Dale Hollinger of York, Pennsylvania. They enjoyed life together until his unexpected death in 2012.

Nellie Faye was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, and daughter-in-law, along with being a caring, hardworking teacher. Her career spanned 30 years, primarily teaching fifth graders at Monroe Avenue School in Richmond County. She was named teacher of the year in 1992 –1993 and upon her retirement, the school dedicated her retirement date as “Nell Gibson Day.” Nellie Faye also made it her life’s work to care for others - family, friends, church members, and her community. It was the expression of her faith: to love God and serve others. She was overjoyed at the birth of her granddaughter and loved being “Granny.” She also enjoyed being outside in nature, tending to her plants and her garden. She lived simply so that she could give her time and talents to those she loved during her life. Nellie Faye spent the last year of her life living in Spokane to be near her immediate family and died with them by her side. 

Along with her husbands, Nellie Faye is preceded in death by her brothers, Eugene Cribb of Rockingham, North Carolina, and Earl Cribb of Jacksonville, Florida. She is survived by her daughter, Lisa Gibson Johnston (Phillip) of Medical Lake, Washington; granddaughter, Claire; her sister, Betty Cribb Gilliam (Don) of Laurel Hill, and her brothers, Henry Levon Cribb of North Augusta, South Carolina, and LB Cribb (Carrie) of Ocala, Florida; along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins for whom she cared greatly.

A memorial service will be held at 12:30 pm on Saturday, July 12, 2025 at Church in The Pines Presbyterian at 9621 Malloy Avenue in Laurel Hill. The family will receive friends immediately prior to the service from 11:30 am - 12:20 pm in the church fellowship hall. All are welcome. A family interment service will take place earlier that morning.

In lieu of flowers, gifts in her memory may be made to Church in the Pines Presbyterian or Scotland Regional Hospice. 

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