Monday, January 2, 2017 12:00 p.m.
First Calvary Baptist Church
1311 Morehead Avenue • Durham, North Carolina 27707 Pastor Fredrick A. Davis, Eulogist
The Obituary Willie Gibson never met a stranger, filled every room he entered with joy and laughter and had a heart that expanded far beyond his large frame. Willie, the youngest of 17 children, was born on August 18th, 1944 in Charleston South Carolina to the late Miley Washington Gibson and the late Abraham Gibson. He attended public schools in Charleston County. With both parents deceased by the time Willie was 11, he was raised by his older brothers and sisters who worked hard to make sure he would finish school and attend college. During high school, Willie was active in the 4-H club, school choir, St. Joseph’s AME Church choir, Drama club, and served as student council president his senior year. In 1966, he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Organic Chemistry from South Carolina State University (SCSU). During his time at SCSU, Willie became a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, worked in the school’s infirmary, sang in the gospel choir, and notably forged a bond with a group of friends now known as (Room 117) that would persist over 50 years. Drafted in 1966, Willie served 3 years in the US Army during the Vietnam War from 1966-1969. As a Combat Medic, Willie was deployed to the Mekong Delta where he served in battle from December 1967-December 1968. For his service, he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Combat Medical Badge, and a Vietnam Service Medal. Upon his return, Willie worked for the Veteran Administration Hospital in Augusta GA from 1969-1971 as a chemist. He then decided to attend Atlanta University (now known as Clark Atlanta University) to pursue a Master’s degree in organic chemistry. While in Georgia, Willie met his future wife, Affie Mack and they married in April 1973. Together they moved to Iowa for Willie to
begin a PhD program at Iowa State University but decided to move back to the Carolinas a year later. From this marriage, they had three daughters, Keisha, LaTosha, and Willietta. Willie served 25 years at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) in the Research Triangle Park as a chemist and later a molecular biologist working with projects focused on defining the genetic structure of Drosophila (fruit fly). During his career with NIEHS, Willie remained an active member of Blacks in Government (BIG) until his retirement. After a courageous battle with lung disease and heart failure, Willie was called home to be with the Lord early Wednesday morning on December 28th. He is preceded in death by his parents (Abraham and Miley Gibson), 7 brothers and 5 sisters. The void of his loss will be felt by family, friends, and many loved ones. Willie leaves to mourn his wife of 43 years, Affie Gibson; his daughters, Dr. Keisha Gibson (Dr. Edward Ocran) of Cary, Dr. LaTosha Gibson of Sylva, NC and Dr. Willietta Gibson of Mebane, NC. He also leaves three sisters, Ms. Anna Lee Gibson of Charleston, SC, Mrs. Albertha Patrick of Charleston, SC, and Mrs. Lille Mae Foy-Wilson of New York, NY; one brother, Mr. Arthur Gibson(Thelma) of New York, NY, and the apples of his eyes — his two grandchildren: Olivia and William Ocran of Cary, NC. Also very special to him was his best friend, Dr. James T. Grainger of Atlanta, GA, his nephew, Clarence Gibson of Durham, NC, and host of other nieces, nephews, and close friends. Whether we’re remembering his unmistakable laugh, his constant flood of pictures to your email inbox commemorating every special moment, Willie Gibson will be sorely missed.
C E L E B R AT I N G T H E L I F E O F
Order of Worship Service Monday, January 2, 2017 at 12:00 p.m.
Prelude................................................................................................................................................................. The Musician Congregational Hymn................................................Blessed Assurance............................................................... The Choir Scripture Reading
OLD TESTAMENT.......................................................................................................................................Psalm 23
NEW TESTAMENT............................................................................................................. 1 Corinthians 15:50-57
Prayer of Comfort Selection.................................................... My Soul Has Been Anchored In The Lord........................................... The Choir Special Tributes......................................................................................................................... Dr. Keisha Gibson, Daughter Dr. James T. Grainger, Best Friend, Room 117 Mr. Larry Champion, Friend, HIEHS Pastor Samuel Patrick, Nephew Acknowledgments and Resolutions.................................................................................... Mary G. Gilmer, Church Clerk Obituary......................................................................................................................................................Please read silently Selection.............................................................................I’ll Fly Away..................................................................The Choir Eulogy............................................................................................................................................... Pastor Fredrick A. Davis Mortician’s Brief.....................................................................................................................................The Funeral Director Recessional..........................................................When We All Get To Heaven................................... Musical Celebration Postlude............................................................................................................................................................... The Musician
I am Told
— W R I T T E N BY W I L I E G I B S O N • S AT U R DAY, AU G U S T 5 , 1 9 6 1
I am told of a home of silver and gold where there’s no wicked man only those as gentle as a lamb I want to go there when I’ve died So no more trials will I be tried I want to see my Father that’s above Who for so many years, I’ve loved
I am told of a City That is far beyond pity It’s a place where no transgressor goes Only those who heart is white as snows So I want to go there when I’ve died So no more trials will I be tried I want to see my Jesus, that’s above Who for so many years I’ve loved
ee The Best Things in Life are Fr
AU G U S T 9 , 1 9 6 1 G I B S O N • W E D N E S DAY — W R I T T E N BY W I L I E Life are Free
The Best Things in Life are Free It is naturally there for you and me How wonderful you’ll be surprised e But, first, it, you’ll have to recogniz
Take a Waterfall for example Go right ahead, Take a Sample! Rejoice if you see Things in Life are Free best That the The best things of life are free Take it from a shady Oak Tree Observe the lovely moss you see And then you’ll say, ” “The Best Things in Life are Free
The Best Things in see Celebrate the dandelions that you sea the to flow that rs rive the erve Obs say, ll Surely, you’ ” “The Best Things in Life are Free
The Best Things in Life are Free ation that belongs to you and me educ The Take it in, if it is your plea Certainly you’ll say ” “The Best Things in Life are Free The best things of life are free Take it my brother from me you’ll see Think my brother and certainly are free. life That sincerely the best things of
The Best Things in Life are Free Serve God if it is your plea Don’t serve Him, and you’ll plea nity” “I’ve done wrong; I’m lost for eter
Wife from Your A Tributea sum y, I had mer program in my field of stud
While enroute to attend d’s my future husband at my best frien no idea that I would be meeting were we as and h couc her sitting on home. I spotted a tall bearded guy familiar accent (Charleston near very a cted dete I being introduced, and that very conversation led us my hometown). We started talking ths of dating, we became engaged into a relationship. Within six mon ie was a very devoted, caring, and and married five months later. Will my shield and armor. protective husband. He was truly
C E L E B R AT I N G T H E L I F E O F
PA L L B E A R E R S Mr. Charles Gibson
Mr. Joe Allison
Mr. Craig Gibson
Mr. Gary Mack
Mr. Leon Mack
Mr. Samuel Patrick
H O N O R A R Y PA L L B E A R E R S Mr. Clarence Gibson, Mr. Larry Champion, and Dr. James T. Grainger
Acknowledgements and Gratitude We are extremely grateful for the prayers, phone calls, and expressions of love that you shared with our family. Your kindness has been a blessing to us all during this difficult time. We thank each and every one of you for helping us and being a part of this celebration of life.
u Interment
Maplewood Cemetery
1621 Duke University Road • Durham, North Carolina
Drivers in the procession, please turn on your hedlights and flashers for safety.
MEMORIAL KEEPSAKE BY: Joseph Anthony • www.jaylitepublications.com