Edward Douglas Gabbard was the first born child of Michael "Drunk Mike" Gabbard and Mary Ann McKinley (Mangan) Gabbard. He was born February 27, 1866 in Owsley County, Kentucky and died on April 18, 1929 at Back Hospital, Jackson, and Breathitt County, Kentucky. (Died of bacillary dysentery). Edward married Matilda Eversole in 1889 Owsley County, Kentucky. Matilda was born March 27,1870 in Owsley County, Kentucky and died December 9,1945 at Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky. Matilda was a d/o George Eversole and Rebecca Jane Moore. Both are buried in the Johnson Cemetery, Chavies, Perry County, Kentucky. Edward was a respected Minister of the Gospel for many years. Photo and information from Joel Meyers.

The following Obituary was provided by Sherry Cross and was published on the front page and again on page 10 in the Hazard, Perry County, Kentucky Newspaper, "Hazard Herald" April 24, 1928.

OBITUARY
EDWARD DOUGLAS GABBARD
Rev. Edward Douglas Gabbard was born Feb. 27th, 1866, in Owsley County, Kentucky. He died in the Back Hospital at Jackson, Ky., April 18th as the clock was telling the hour of 10 P.M. His family had taken him there the Sunday before, with the hope that his life might be prolonged.
Under treatment he rallied somewhat at first, but soon became worse and despite everything that a skilled physician could do, he answered the call and passed "over the river."
In the year 1889 he married Matilda Eversole of Owsley County. To this union were born ten children, seven of whom with his widow survive him. His children are: B.H. Gabbard, Corydon, Ind.; A.P. Gabbard, Chavies, Ky.; Mrs. D.T. Maloney, Jackson, Ky.; Rev. Bradley Gabbard, Hazard, Ky.; Genettie B. Gabbard, Lexington, Ky.; J.M. Gabbard, and Anna D. Gabbard, Chavies, Ky.
He united with the Baptist Church in the year 1912, and was immediately ordained to the ministry in which he continued faithfully till the last. This work he performed with great profit to the people, and with honor to his Lord. He was pastor of Gays Creek and Lick Branch churches at the time of his death. The large number of his members who attended his funeral bear loud testimony to the esteem in which he was held. Many other had received his kindly ministrations, and showed their appreciation by their presence.
The funeral services were held in the Baptist church at Chavies attended perhaps by four hundred sorrowing people.
Pastor Bates and Billie Baker bore testimony to his influence upon their lives as a true minister of Jesus Christ.
After which A.S. Petrey preached the sermon from the texts: II Tim. 1:10, "Who hath abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel." And II Sam. 3:38, "Know ye not that there is a prince and great man fallen this day in Israel?"
The Juniors bore the body to the cemetery on the hill overlooking the town, and there with appropriate ceremony laid it away to await the Resurrection Morn. Thus ended the earthly existence of a true man, a great preacher, a loving father, husband and friend. But his influence will go on forever. "Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord, from henceforth yea saieth the Spirit that they may rest from their labors and their works do follow them." Rev. 14:13.