Shirley Shauntil Gibson

Shirley Shauntil Reeves Gibson was born on March 8, 1936 in Lucedale, Mississippi to proud parents Albert Reeves and Laura (Richards) Reeves. She lived in Lucedale until the death of her father in her teen years at which time her mother and the family migrated to Los Angeles, California. She was very proud of her Reeves and Richards families in Mississippi and often shared stories of her childhood there with her children. Shirley graduated from Jordan High School in Los Angeles and later went on to get her A.A. from Compton College as well as certification in Early Childhood Development. This led her to a long and much loved career working with Special Needs Children. She worked in Special Education for 31 years in the Compton Unified School District and for five years in the Riverside School District before retiring. The greatest joy and accomplishment of Shirley however, was the raising of her seven children. She was married to Alfred Charles Gibson for 17 years and together they had seven children before divorcing. Shirley continued to raise her seven children ages 8 thru 16 as a single mom and instilled in them the love of God and the power of prayer. She became a shining example of what a committed mother could do with the love and guidance of a great God! This brings us to the essence of who Shirley was; she gave her heart and soul to God in her early twenties and sought him continually throughout her life. She prayed incessantly and dedicated herself to intercessory prayer. It was a one on one relationship. Many people have shared an experience with “Mother Gibson” in prayer. Whether at her home, or in the sanctuary, on the phone, or in a private corner, she was a powerful intercessor who prayed until she prayed through. A faithful and devoted member of the Church Of God In Christ, Shirley Gibson was a great Evangelist. She was one of the original members of Paradise Church Of God In Christ, Faithful Church Of God In Christ and then joined Life Church Of God In Christ but having birthed the Pastors of four Churches, needless to say that she attended them all. “Mom Gibson” as she was known was the proud mother of Monica, Ronnie, Teri’, Shauntil, Tammie, Dana and Charles; grandmother to Jayson, Bridgette, William, Erika, Jacob, Charles, Dupree, Christina, Joshua, Erin, Monica and Lance; the great-grandmother to Jaden, Dalyn, Jayson, Nicholas, Sean, Gabrielle, Isaiah, Ivan, Corey, Malaya Monyae, Silas, Carter, Lance, plus two expected in June of 2021 and great, great grandmother to Laila and Joseph, and God daughter Sherry Treggs. But to this great biological legacy, we must add the many sons and daughters she adopted in her heart and soul. The names of which are too numerous to list. Her love was voluminous and expansive. It was true, sincere and nurturing. Motherhood and prayer were in her DNA. She loved God. (“If you love me feed my sheep”). She loved her family immediate and extensive and we thank you all for helping us celebrate a life well lived.

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