Abby Gibson

Abby Gibson, from Knoxville, TN, was born on November 30, 1999. She passed away on June 3, 2010 from injuries she sustained in a horseback riding accident.

Abby was a caring 10-year old little girl that brought joy into every life she touched. She loved her family and friends, including her animal friends. She was a happy child who tried to squeeze everything she could into each day. Abby loved to laugh, forever making funny faces and doing silly things to make the people around her laugh.

Some of my happiest memories with her are dancing around the house, hiking in the Smokies, riding roller coasters, watching movies, and going to concerts (preferably country). I could go on and on. She loved to spend her Saturdays with her Papaw. It didn’t matter if they went to Dollywood or Splash Country, a movie, the playground, PF Changs, etc., they always had fun. The time she spent with her Nana included planting flowers, baking banana bread, and watching birds and wildlife in our woods. And not to be forgotten…all the time she spent with her Mimi just being loved and spoiled! Some of our best memories include trips to Disney World where Abby loved riding all of the roller coasters. She was always open to a new adventure. On our most recent trip she and I swam with the dolphins and sting rays at Discovery Cove. When just spending time at home Abby loved riding bikes with her friends, playing with our neighbor’s dog Tyson, running and jumping like a horse, reading, and listening to music.

Abby loved all animals, especially horses. She started taking weekly riding lessons when she was 5 years old and the barn quickly became her second home. Abby rode english saddle and took lessons in jumping and dressage. She wanted to start taking lessons in cross country as soon as she was old enough. Her favorite times were the week long riding camps each summer. Although Abby did not yet have a horse of her own, she made up for it by surrounding herself with everything horse related. Breyer horses, barns, and trucks; stuffed horses; horse books; you name it she had it. She couldn't wait to become a veterinarian and have her own farm.

Abby loved animals and was passionate about helping them. Abby loved not only horses, but almost every other animal as well. She loved zebras, tigers, humpback whales, dolphins, squirrels, rabbits, dogs, cats...I could go on and on. She was constantly telling her friends and family of her plans to attend the University of Tennessee’s College of Veterinary Medicine so that she could become a veterinarian and take care of her animal friends. In her memory, we established the Abby Gibson Veterinary Medicine Scholarship Endowment at UT's College of Veterinary Medicine. Our hope is that this endowment will help others achieve their dreams while remembering Abby.

Abby is much loved and will be missed dearly by all her friends and family. We will continue to do things in Abby's memory and we will hold tight to the special memories we have of her. She will forever be in our hearts. ♥