Marie Elizabeth (Meadows) Gibbs
Obituary
Marie Meadows Gibbs was born to the parents of the late Curtis,Sr and Thelma Jones Meadows 95years ago on May 5, 1925 in Granville County and went home to eternal rest on Sunday, September 20, 2020. She was the second of five siblings who were all boys! So it was fitting for her to be referred to as “Sis”or “Sunshine”by her five brothers. As a child, she was nurtured by a Christian family who balanced hard work, spiritual reflection, family time, and education with love, responsibility, and commitment.
Marie Meadows Gibbs grew up in Cary, North Carolina on Cornwall Road, off Kildaire Farm Road with her parents and grandparents in the love and admonition of the Lord. Her grandfather’s building of a legacy of education in Cary as founder and principal of the first colored school opened the door for her to start her formal education at the age of 5. Her love for reading and writing were enriched which became her hobbies.
Mother Gibbs was baptized at the age of 9 at Rock Spring Christian Church in Creedmoor where her grandmother was a member but attended Cary Christian Church, currently Cary First Christian Church, from time to time. She later joined Cary Christian Church in 1955 where she served faithfully in several positions over the years: Secretary/Treasurer for 25 years, Deaconess, Missionary, Trustee, Usher, Choir, Church History chair . . .
Mother Gibbs and family moved to New Bern and the Goldsboro, NC area where she met and married the love of her life, the late Deacon Leon Gibbs. While in Goldsboro, she attended and graduated from Barnes Business College in 1950. She and her husband moved to Cary and later to Raleigh, NC.
Mother Gibbs became a secretary at St. Augustine’s College in Raleigh under President Dr. James Boyer and an administrative secretary under President Dr. Prezell Robinson for 13 and a half years. She later became secretary at Tuttle Community Center for eleven years until her retirement in 1987.
Mother Marie Meadows Gibbs was a charter member of the Raleigh Chapter of the American Business Women Association and a member of the United Order of Tents as well as the Order of the Eastern Star.
We honor Mother Marie Meadows Gibbs’life today as a woman of faith with such a sweet, humble spirit, with a mind full of knowledge and wisdom, a heart of compassion, integrity, and commitment; with a great desire to reach out and help others. She was active in her Cary community as she was always called on to write and read obituaries. She loved her Pastor, Rev. Mycal X. Brickhouse and the Cary First Church family where she regularly attended Sunday School, worship services, Bible Study, church conferences, and other activities of the church.
Mother Gibbs was preceded in death by her husband: Deacon Leon Gibbs; her parents: Rev. Curtis & Thelma Meadows, Sr.; her grandparents: Rev. Dr. John and Annie Meadows; her five brothers: John William Meadows, Worth Levi Meadows, Emmett McLiney Meadows, N’Del McReynold, and Curtis Meadows, Jr.; and a dear sister-in-law: Olivia Ann Pollard Meadows.
We were blessed to have Momma for 95 years all in her right mind with her continuous love of reading, especially God’s Word. We will dearly miss her. We are . . .
Son: Rev. Jimmy Leon Gibbs;
Daughter: Linda Johnson (Joe)
Son: Rev. Tracy Bell (Mary)
A Special Nephew: Curtis Meadows, III (Tammie),who visited often and kept in touch;
A Host of Nieces, Nephews, Cousins, Several Adopted Daughters: Jerri Pretty, Barbara Engram, Jamesa Flippin, Rosetta Lee, Brenda Dunston;
God Children: Arthur Ray Ballentine, Lee Owen Evans, D. J. Flippin;
A Special Hairstylist: Kookie Morgan; the Cary First Church Family and Others.
Thanks for loving Momma!
Jimmy
Due to Covid-19, the family will not have a public viewing or funeral service at this time. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Cards may be sent to 1011 Hadley Road, Raleigh, NC 27610
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