Joan Price Gabbard

Joan Price Gabbard- 90
Of Hahira, Georgia passed away on Wednesday, June 5, 2024, at South Georgia Medical Center. Sister Gabbard was born on December 30, 1933, to the late James Homer Price and Edna Marie Price. She met the love of her life, Rev. Raymond Gabbard in Russell Springs, Kentucky in 1947 where they both attended the same school and church. In 1951 God impressed upon them both that they were meant to share their lives together and they were married on a Sunday morning in 1951 between Sunday school and morning worship. Later that same day they began their ministry together traveling to Mitchellsburg, Kentucky where Rev. Gabbard was preaching a revival. From day one they were constant companions in life and ministry. Through their seventy-two and a half years of marriage they served in 4 states, and she was First Lady of 10 churches that Rev. Gabbard pastored. She was a leader at Azalea City Church of God in Valdosta, Georgia for more than 26 years, and Fargo Church of God in Fargo, Georgia for more than 15 years. Sister Gabbard personified a truly Godly woman and pastor’s wife. She was blessed with a gift to play the organ, which she used to glorify God in many of the churches where they served. She helped to guide many young ladies through the years and held a very special place in her heart for mentoring young pastor’s wives. She was a prayer partner, not only to her husband and family, but to more ministry wives and families than can be counted. She loved her Lord and Savior and it shined in everything she did, including tending to the beautiful flowers God blessed her to grow. She is preceded in death by her parents; son-in-law, Don Kuiper; great granddaughter, Kinsey Lloyd; and Kyper Bowles.
Survivors include her husband, Raymond Gabbard of Hahira, Georgia; sons: David Gabbard (Benita) of Warner Robins, Georgia and Donald Gabbard (Becky) of Albany, Georgia; daughter, Judy Kuiper of Hahira, Georgia; grandchildren: Amy Parr (Donnie), Amanda Pope (John), Crystal Barnes (Chris), Erin Lloyd (Joe), Emily Bowles (Alex); great-grandchildren: Cailyn, Colson, Caleb, Thomas, Madelyn, Jeb, Luke, Joseph, Ray, and Logan; brother, Norbert Price (Carol) of Cincinnati, Ohio; numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family members.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, June 8, 2024 at Swilley Hill Church of God with Rev. Andy Pearson officiating. The burial will follow in Friendship Cemetery, Hahira, Georgia. The family will receive friends from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM on Friday, June 7, 2024 at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Swilley Hill Church of God Building Fund, 4333 Hickory Grove Road, Valdosta, Georgia, 31606. Kind words and expressions of sympathy can be left to the family at www.musicfuneralservices.com . The Gabbard family is being served by the professional and caring staff of Music Funeral Services of Valdosta.