The Heart of the Town: Remembering Worley Gibson


Worley Gibson was more than just a barber; he was a cornerstone of our community. During the warmer months, you could always find him sitting outside his shop, soaking up the sun and engaging in easy conversation with the locals. He was truly one of the kindest souls I’ve ever known, and a personal favorite of mine.

If there was an empty chair out front, I’d take the opportunity to sit and visit. Worley had a way of making every person feel genuinely welcome. When the weather turned cold, the heart of the shop moved inside, where we’d huddle around the warmth of the potbelly stove. My favorite spot was always the barber chair, listening to the hum of stories while Worley and his friends sat by the fire.

A Meaningful Connection

I was recently reminded of just how far Worley’s kindness reached. After sharing a photo of him, a woman named Angel Stapleton commented with a story that brought tears to my eyes. Angel is a barber and cosmetologist herself, and she spent years cutting the hair of her "Papaw," Billy Salyers.

During those haircuts, Billy would tell her endless stories about his old barbers back home—specifically Worley Gibson and Gerny Tester. Angel had formed a picture of these men in her mind for years, but seeing an actual photo of Worley by complete coincidence was a special moment for her. It turns out the trade ran deep in her family; her "Mamaw’s" father, Emory Parsons, was also a barber.

Skill vs. Soul

While Worley was a wonderful human being, I have to be honest: his skills with the shears were a bit questionable. Most locals, myself included, would actually head across the street to Gerny Tester’s for the actual haircut. But we always came back to Worley’s for the company.

I never saw Worley again after I entered the service in 1968. He passed away in 1971, but he left behind a lasting legacy of kindness. Even now, decades later, I still think of those afternoons by the stove and the man who made a simple barber shop feel like home.






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