Cleta Rae Gibson, age 88, of Springfield, MO, passed away on March 19, 2026, at Mercy Hospital. Cleta was born to Raymond McIntire and Cleta Barber on July 31, 1937 in Kansas City, MO. She was raised in Kansas City and later met her husband, Raymond Gibson,  where they were united in marriage on June 7, 1956.  Cleta and Raymond shared 43 years of marriage until Raymond’s death in December 1999. They were blessed with three children: Kathy, Linda, and John.

Cleta worked for many years in various retail stores in the Kansas City and Springfield areas including: GNC, Heers, Gordmans Jewelry, and Dressbarn. She enjoyed her customers and the people she worked with, always having a smile on her face and a story to share. One of the things she will be remembered for was her talent for playing the piano. She had no formal training and could not read music but played by ear, picking out songs from Beethoven and Mozart to The Beatles to current popular artists. Everyone who heard her play expressed their amazement at this gift. She also wrote poetry over the years and even had one published, which she was very proud of.

Cleta was preceded in death by her spouse, Raymond Gibson; father, Raymond McIntire; mother, Cleta Marcene Wilson. She is survived by her daughter, Kathy Colon, son-in-law, Mike Colon, and granddaughters: Erin Koolen, Kristen Taylor, and Carrie Klakeg, of Minneapolis, MN; daughter, Linda Sala, son-in-law, Jose Sala, and grandsons: Ryan Sala-Bankston and Justin Sala, of Springfield, MO; son, John Gibson, daughter-in-law, Sheila Gibson, and grandson, Jason Witt, of Kansas City, MO. Cleta had seven great grandchildren: Alaina Koolen, Kaylee Koolen, Isla Taylor, Emilia Taylor, Benjamin Klakeg, Wesley Witt, and Wilder Witt.

Cleta’s funeral service will be held on Tuesday, March 24, 2026 at 1:00 PM at Greenlawn Funeral Home South.  Her burial will be at Evergreen Cemetery where she will be laid to rest next to her late husband, Raymond, located in Republic, MO and attended by immediate family only.