John Eugene Bibbs (1926 - 2014)

Born 19 Sep 1926 in Kansas City, Jackson, Missouri

Husband of Betty Louise (Bundy) Bibbs — married about 1951 in Des Moines, Polk, Iowa, United States

Died 31 May 2014 at age 87 in Des Moines, Polk, Iowa, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Jane Hoskinson [send private message]

John Bibbs is a part of US Black heritage.

Biography

John was born Sept. 19, 1926, in Missouri. He was the son of Thomas Jackson Bibbs and Gertrude Wheeler.

In 1930, Gertrude Bibbs (32, divorced, public school teacher) lived on 14th Street in Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa, with her children, Olga (7), Willetta (4), and Johnnie (3).^[1]

John's 1944 World War II draft card listed his address as 1026 16th St., Des Moines, Polk, Iowa. He was 18 and a student at West High School.^[2] John served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

In 1950, Gertrude Bibbs (56, divorced) lived at 1026 16th Street, Des Moines, Polk, Iowa, with her extended family, including Olga Bibbs Hill (27, daughter, divorced, retail clerk); Marva G. Hill (2, granddaughter); John E. Bibbs (23, son, single, Turret Lathe Ofr., Star Crost); Willetta G. Carter (24, daughter, married, drug store clerk); Walter E. Carter (26, son-in-law); Sherine E. Carter (7, granddaughter); Walter E. Carter Jr. (6, grandson); Gertrude O. Carter (3, granddaughter); and Darrell J. Carter (1, grandson).^[3]

John married Betty Lou Bundy about 1951. The couple had a daughter, Ellouise, who was born and died May 24, 1952.^[4] Their second daughter, Victoria Lee, was born June 7, 1953. In 1953, Betty and John Bibbs lived at 1627 Maple St., Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa.^[5] In 1955 and 1960, they still lived at 1627 Maple.^[6][7]

John Bibbs was a pioneer in the Iowa Civil Rights movement. His obituary states, "Mr. Bibb's insistence of being served at the Katz Drug Store lunch counter, during the time of segregation, was the catalyst that changed the racial culture in the state. He and two others filed a lawsuit that was heard by Iowa's Supreme court. The justices upheld a ban of discrimination in any public place and the victory earned Mr. Bibbs a place in history for demanding equal treatment under the law."^[8]

John passed away May 31, 2014. He is buried in Glendale Cemetery, Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa.^[9]

Sources

1. ↑ 1930 United States Federal Census: https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/6224/images/4584431_00422?pId=30282429 : accessed 26 Jul 2022
2. ↑ U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947: https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2238/images/44010_05_00006-01537?pId=38062630 : accessed 26 Jul 2022
3. ↑ 1950 United States Census: https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/62308/images/43290879-Iowa-129091-0021?pId=70293289 : accessed 26 Jul 2022
4. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/31970090/ellouise-bibbs: accessed 26 July 2022), memorial page for Ellouise Bibbs (unknown–24 May 1952), Find a Grave Memorial ID 31970090, citing Glendale Cemetery, Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa, USA; Maintained by Katie Lou (contributor 46950342).
5. ↑ Des Moines, Iowa, City Directory, 1953, U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995: https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2469/images/13378765?pId=806367082 : accessed 26 Jul 2022
6. ↑ Des Moines, Iowa, City Directory, 1955, U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995: https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/734896088:2469?tid=183818393&pid=212391339196&queryId=c375457e205f078aa814e69254dcd665&_phsrc=yKW2240&_phstart=successSource : accessed 26 Jul 2022
7. ↑ Des Moines, Iowa, City Directory, 1960, U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995: https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2469/images/14746184?pId=927098961 : accessed 26 Jul 2022
8. ↑ Obituary, Henderson Highland Park Funeral Home: https://www.hendersonshp.com/obituaries/John-Bibbs/Obituary : accessed 26 Jul 2022
9. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/130917684/john-eugene-bibbs: accessed 26 July 2022), memorial page for John Eugene Bibbs (19 Sep 1926–31 May 2014), Find a Grave Memorial ID 130917684, citing Glendale Cemetery, Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa, USA; Maintained by Mike Woltz (contributor 46976598).