WEST POINT, Miss.--State  Rep. David Gibbs has died. He represented part of Clay and Lowndes counties in the Golden triangle in the Mississippi house for 20 years.

Gibs died in the hospital Sunday at the age of 76. He had suffered from an illness for some time. His death comes the same week that he resigned from the House. His family later sent a letter resending that resignation. It turned out that the resignation was never official because his letter of resignation never made it to the Secretary of State's office. The letter was read by House Speaker Phillip Gunn in open session on the first day of the 2013 session Tuesday.

Once news of his passing got around, tweets of sadness and regret started going out. This one came from the Mississippi Democrats:

@MSDemocrat: We lament the passing of yet another fine stalwart Democrat, Rep. David Gibbs. A softspoken, common-sense leader who served us well.

This tweet came from Northern District Public Service commissioner Brandon Presley:

@BrandonPresley: RIP State Rep. David Gibbs (D-West Point). Mr. Gibbs was always a fighter for his district and Mississippi's middle class.

This one from Rep. Herb Frierson:

@HerbFrierson: Gonna miss Mr. David Gibbs a good man.  A true servant of the people.

Mississippi Speaker of the House Philip Gunn also received read released a statement expressing sadness from he and his wife at the passing of Gibbs.