Homegoing Celebration of
Carolyn Jean Gibbs Sunrise: September 1, 1948 Sunset: June 24, 2016 Friday, July, 1, 2016, 11:00 AM (family Hour) 11:30 am (Funeral Service)
Christian Fellowship Center 14713 Lakeshore Blvd Cleveland, OH 44110
Celebration of Life Carolyn Jean Gibbs was born Carolyn Jean Etheridge on September 1, 1948 in Lynch, Kentucky to Winston T. Etheridge and the late Bennie Lee Etheridge. She was affectionately known as Carol Jean growing up in Cleveland, Ohio. Carolyn was the eldest of six children; four girls, two boys. She was educated at Glenville High School and Cleveland State University. While at Glenville High School she met her husband, also her prom date, Jerome Gibbs and were united in marriage on December 9, 1967. She enjoyed a career in education specializing in special needs students. She retired from Scotch Elementary School in 2002. Carolyn accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior at an early age and was a member of Hartford Memorial Baptist Church in Detroit, MI. On Friday, June 24, 2016 Carolyn went home to be with the Lord. Carolyn experienced no pain as she battled lung cancer. Carolyn was preceded in death by her mother Bennie Lee Etheridge and brother Winston T. Etheridge II. She will forever be loved and remembered by her husband of 48 years and 6 months Jerome Gibbs, her children Trina Nicole, Jerome Mwai, Tori Nicele and her granddaughter and apple of her eye, Tiffani Nicele; father Winston T. Etheridge, sisters Faye Lockett, Winifred Bobbitt, Tamara (John) Goode, brother Christopher (Sharon) Etheridge, sister-in-law Francine (Gibbs) Wahome including a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition, her Michigan family, Frank & Ola Taylor, Thomas & Jean Butler, Howard & Marva McPherson, Charles & Charlene Chase, Lodia & Mary Richards and Walter & Phyllis Marshall. Carolyn was the most loving wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister and friend. She loved unconditionally, was selfless in her actions and lived for her family. She was a phenomenal cook and prided herself in always having her family and friend’s favorite dishes in their presence. Carolyn’s love was unconditional and always flowing. Her warm smile and sweet kisses were contagious and infectious. From the sweet taste of her signature poundcake passed down from her mother to the secret sauce of her ribs to over the top seafood bakes and fried pickerel, she put more love in her food than one could ever imagine.
Order of Service
Musical Prelude...................Jesus The Light of the World Processional......................................................................The Family Solo........................................................................Lead Me, Guide Me Scripture...................................................Pastor Rachelle Jones Solo............................................................................Beams of Heaven Special Remarks..................................Christopher Etheridge Remarks.......................................................................Mary Richards Reading of Obituary...............................................Frank Taylor Solo..........................................................Wind Beneath My Wings Eulogy..........................................................Pastor Rachelle Jones Recessional.........................................................Going Up Yonder Interment Lakeview Cemetery 12316 Euclid Avenue Cleveland, OH 44106 Repass
Immediately following the Interment at Christian Fellowship Center
Active Pallbearers Virgil Wahome Craig Bobbitt Jayson Etheridge
Justin Etheridge Joshua Goode Kyle Taylor
Honorary PallBearers
Winston T. Etheridge III Stephen Wahome Howard Williams If I speak in human and angelic tongues but do not have love, I am a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal. And if I have the gift of prophecy and comprehend all mysteries and all knowledge: if I have all faith so as to move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away everything I own, and if I hand my body over so that I may boast but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, [love] is not pompous, it is not inflated. It is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury. It does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth.
Love never fails. If there are prophecies, they will be brought to nothing; if tongues, they will cease; if knowledge, it will be brought to nothing. For we know partially and we prophesy partially, But when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I used to talk as a child, think as a child, reason as a child; when I became a man, I put aside childish things. At present we see indistinctly, as in a mirror, but then face to face. At present I know partially; then I shall know fully, as I am fully known. So faith, hope, love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
~1 Corinthians Chapter 13
It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. The family of Carolyn Jean Gibbs expresses sincere thanks for the many thoughts, prayers, flowers, cards, visits, calls and other expressions extended during her illness and bereavement. We are truly blessed with the presence of love that has been unwavering and greatly appreciated. We pray that each one of you are showered with God’s blessings.
- The Family Please turn on headlights during processional Final Arrangements Entrusted To: E. F. Boyd and Son Funeral Home 2165 East 89th Street Cleveland, OH 44106 Tele: 216.791.0770