Geraldine B. Gibbs
Sister Geraldine Brunson Gibbs, 56, wife of Elder James Stephen Gibbs Sr., departed this life on Friday, March 4, 2011.
Born Jan. 14, 1955, in Sumter County, she was a daughter of Evelena Hammond Brunson and the late Deacon Daniel Brunson. She attended the public schools of Sumter County and graduated from Sumter High School in 1973. She was employed with Georgia-Pacific (VB Williams) before pursing her true passion of nursing. She received her nursing degree from the Tuomey Hospital Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) School. Her 12-year LPN career included employment at Cypress Nursing Facility, McLeod Regional Hospital and finally, Lake Marion Nursing Facility in Summerton, where she retired.
As a lifelong member of Church of God by Faith Inc., she served in many capacities, including the South Carolina district missionary president, vice president, secretary and the district Sunday school teacher. She also served in each of these capacities at the various local churches, where she served as first lady to her husband. An avid singer, she and her sisters sang together as the Brunson Sisters.
Survivors are her husband, Elder James Stephen "Steve" Gibbs of the home; her mother, Evelena H. Brunson of Sumter; one daughter, Andrea Nicole (Albert Jr.) Williams of Mascoutah, Ill.; two sons, James S. (Sheral) Gibbs Jr. of Windsor Mill, Md., and Tylan Gerard Gibbs of Gastonia, N.C.; grandchildren, Jordan Jamal Gibbs, Albert K III, Armond De'Shaun and Andriana Ar'Riel Jamese Williams, Preston Geran Gibbs, Serenity Cheyenne Gibbs, Justin Alexander Hill and Toyah Kimmie Smith; one great-grandson, Jaden Elijah Smith; two sisters, Evangelist Pamela (Phillip) McCollough of Sumter and Monica (Jerome) Woodberry of New Haven, Conn.; three brothers, Daniel (Dorothy) Brunson of Binghamton, N.Y., Reginald (Cynthia) Brunson of Hobart, N.Y., and Elder Wayne (Pamela) Brunson of Sumter; an adopted son, Daquan Amos; and a host of other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her father, Daniel Brunson; one daughter, Alicen Bonnita Gibbs; two sisters, Danielle Brunson and Maggie Jean B. Durant; maternal and paternal grandparents; and a godsister, Patricia R. Gass.
Sister Gibbs can be viewed from 3 to 6 p.m. today at the funeral home and the family will be greeting family and friends from 6 to 8 p.m.
Funeral services will be held at noon Saturday at Lynchburg Church of God by Faith, 199 Clavon St., Lynchburg, SC 29080 with Elder Andre McBride, pastor, Bishop Jeffrey Johnson, eulogist, assisting the Rev. O.W. Prince, the Rev. Emmanuel Davis, Elder Alonzo Smith, Minister Joan Bell-Foster, Elder Wayne Brunson and Apostle Eugene Brunson. Burial will follow in Hillside Memorial Park.
The procession will leave at 11 a.m. Saturday from the home, 1010 Belmont Drive, Sumter, where the family is receiving visitors.
E-mails can be sent to comfhltj@sc.rr.com.
Community Funeral Home of Sumter is in charge of these arrangements.