Obituary of Josephine Wood Sibold

Josephine Wood Sibold , died November 25, 2020 Mushrooms, leprechauns, dancing druids, tea ladies, dragonflies, Frog Boru and other whimsical creations were inspired by a lifetime of friendships and travel. Josie had an imagination that led her to pen numerous stageplays and lyrics, as well. One of her proudest recent moments was as a theater goer watching a restaging of her Sweetbriar Senior play from 1952 - “Resting on Our Laurels” which she co-wrote with Joanne Holbrook Patton. This staging coincided with her 65th class reunion. The event was attended by classmates and family members and presented by Stage 284 at the Community House in S Hamilton, MA outside Boston. Josephine Wood Sibold was born in Chattanooga on June 12, 1930. She attended Normal Park Elementary School and graduated from GPS in 1948. Following graduation from Sweetbriar College, she briefly returned to Chattanooga before accepting a position in San Francisco where she worked in public relations for the California Wine Council. Josie came home to Chattanooga a few years later and worked several jobs including her assignment as an internal PR publicist for Olan Mills, which tapped into her innate creativity. In the early 1960’s, she decided to devote herself full time to developing a method of sculpture in a unique medium – concrete. Her “cement toadstools” (patterned after ones brought from Ireland by her mother decades earlier) were instant hits with gardeners and art collectors. These one of a kind creations were followed by numerous other hand-crafted forms and sculptures conjured from her imagination and often inspired by children’s literature. She travelled throughout the United States and the UK presenting her art at shows and being mentored by other renowned artists. She was the daughter of the late Elizabeth Stoops Sibold and the late Arthur P Sibold. She was predeceased by brothers Arthur P Sibold, Jr and Harold G Sibold. She is survived by her loving nieces and nephews, numerous great nieces and nephews and a number of great great nieces and nephews. “Becoming original is not the easiest path in the pursuit of happiness, but it leaves us perfectly poised for the happiness of pursuit.” Josie, your smile and infectious laugh and spirit will be forever missed. Memorial gifts may be made to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church or Chattanooga Room in the Inn Due to COVID-19, a Celebration of Life will be held in the new year. Arrangements are by Wann Funeral Home & Cremation Center. (423) 821-7551 Please share your memories, stories and photos at www.wannfuneralhome.com.