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In Memory of
Ethel Mae
Gibby (Richardson)
Gibby (Richardson)
1926 - 2018
Memorial Candle Tribute From
Baxter Funeral & Cremation Service
"We are honored to provide this Book of Memories to the family."
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Memorial Candle Tribute From
Tracey L Gordon
"Rest In Peace Aunt Ethel Mae, gone but never forgotten.
Love always Tr"
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Obituary for Ethel Mae Gibby (Richardson)
Ethel May Gibby, the daughter of the late Eddie Richards and Ethel (Merriweather) Richards was born September 9, 1926 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. She attended Mobile County Training School graduating in 1943 with honors as class Salutatorian and serving as Class Treasurer. She attended Spelman College in Atlanta, GA for two years with a field of study in education.
On March 15, 1947, in Mobile, Alabama, she married the love of her life, the late James Gibby Sr., their union lasted 69 years.
Ethel accepted Christ in her teen years and was baptized at Mount Olive Baptist Church in Mobile, Alabama. She gave God seventy-seven years of service. Upon moving from Mobile to Battle Creek, Michigan in 1953, Ethel joined Second Missionary Baptist Church (SMBC). She continued to serve God faithfully through various capacities including the Financial Secretary from 1955-2001; In addition, she was an instructor of the Missionary Society as well as a Deaconess and Secretary of Christian Education Ministry. Ethel had a gift for teaching and that was exemplified by her service as a Sunday School and Vacation Bible School teacher for fifty-six years. She was also a mentor and tutor to school age children through her church Outreach Program.
She was a great benefactor to many charitable organizations. Ethel’s activities included volunteering for UNICEF, Easter Seals, Cancer Society and March of Dimes for over 15 years. She was fondly known as the “March of Dimes Lady” in the neighborhood. Ethel worked approximately twenty-five years with the Parent Teacher Associations at Dudley Elementary School, Northwestern Jr. High School and Battle Creek Central High School. Ethel was active as an instructor in the One Student Succeed Program, a member of the NAACP, and served as a board member of Battle Creek Minority Committee with the Red Cross.
In addition to a wonderful homemaker Ethel, was employed by Michigan Bell Telephone Company from 1965 to 1975, and worked as a Teacher’s Aid at Wilson Elementary School for two years.
Although never formerly trained, Ethel was a MASTER baker. Her homemade cookies were legendary. People were known to fight over "Mrs.Gibby's" cookies, not to mention hiding them so as not to share with others.
Having lived in the segregated south with it’s onerous voting practices, it created within Ethel a passion for the right to vote. As she once told her eldest son, “that if the only issue on the ballet was for a head dog catcher she would be at the polls to vote.”
Ethel was unable to finish her undergraduate studies due to financial circumstances, as a result she greatly valued education. She was extremely proud that all of her grandchildren earned undergraduate degrees and the majority, post graduate degrees.
Ethel made her transition Friday, February 9, 2018. She is survived by her five children, Frederick (Loretta) Gibby, St. Joseph, Michigan, Deborah English, Indianapolis, Indiana, Meredith (Rudy) Brown, Morrice, Michigan, James Gibby Jr., Battle Creek, Michigan, Zannie Gibby, Battle Creek, Michigan, grandchildren Arik (Nadine) Brown, Woodstock, Maryland, Nicole (Manny) Munguia, Chicago, Illinois, Lynsey English, Atlanta, Georgia, Brian (Lydia) Gibby, San Jose, California, great grandchildren Alexis and Joshua Brown, Sister-in-law, Marie Wright, Godson Joshua Dulin, special niece Virginia(Carl) George, special daughters, Judith Williamson, Estelle Spates, Joyce Hubbard, Cheri (Daniel) Willis, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and other loving family.
Ethel was preceded in death by her loving husband of 69 years James Gibby, her parents Eddie and Ethel (Merriweather) Richards, siblings Willie Mae French, Annie Mae Robinson, Harold Wright, and Sam Knox Jr..
The family will be present for visitation from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM Monday, February 19, 2018, at Baxter Funeral and Cremation Service, 375 W. Dickman Road.
A second viewing will be held on Tuesday, February 20, 2018, from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM at the Second Missionary Baptist Church, 485 N. Washington Avenue.
A funeral service will immediately follow on Tuesday at 12:30 PM with Reverend William Wyne Officiating.
Interment will take place in the Fort Custer National Cemetery
Memorials may be made out to the United Negro College Fund or Alzheimer's Association
On March 15, 1947, in Mobile, Alabama, she married the love of her life, the late James Gibby Sr., their union lasted 69 years.
Ethel accepted Christ in her teen years and was baptized at Mount Olive Baptist Church in Mobile, Alabama. She gave God seventy-seven years of service. Upon moving from Mobile to Battle Creek, Michigan in 1953, Ethel joined Second Missionary Baptist Church (SMBC). She continued to serve God faithfully through various capacities including the Financial Secretary from 1955-2001; In addition, she was an instructor of the Missionary Society as well as a Deaconess and Secretary of Christian Education Ministry. Ethel had a gift for teaching and that was exemplified by her service as a Sunday School and Vacation Bible School teacher for fifty-six years. She was also a mentor and tutor to school age children through her church Outreach Program.
She was a great benefactor to many charitable organizations. Ethel’s activities included volunteering for UNICEF, Easter Seals, Cancer Society and March of Dimes for over 15 years. She was fondly known as the “March of Dimes Lady” in the neighborhood. Ethel worked approximately twenty-five years with the Parent Teacher Associations at Dudley Elementary School, Northwestern Jr. High School and Battle Creek Central High School. Ethel was active as an instructor in the One Student Succeed Program, a member of the NAACP, and served as a board member of Battle Creek Minority Committee with the Red Cross.
In addition to a wonderful homemaker Ethel, was employed by Michigan Bell Telephone Company from 1965 to 1975, and worked as a Teacher’s Aid at Wilson Elementary School for two years.
Although never formerly trained, Ethel was a MASTER baker. Her homemade cookies were legendary. People were known to fight over "Mrs.Gibby's" cookies, not to mention hiding them so as not to share with others.
Having lived in the segregated south with it’s onerous voting practices, it created within Ethel a passion for the right to vote. As she once told her eldest son, “that if the only issue on the ballet was for a head dog catcher she would be at the polls to vote.”
Ethel was unable to finish her undergraduate studies due to financial circumstances, as a result she greatly valued education. She was extremely proud that all of her grandchildren earned undergraduate degrees and the majority, post graduate degrees.
Ethel made her transition Friday, February 9, 2018. She is survived by her five children, Frederick (Loretta) Gibby, St. Joseph, Michigan, Deborah English, Indianapolis, Indiana, Meredith (Rudy) Brown, Morrice, Michigan, James Gibby Jr., Battle Creek, Michigan, Zannie Gibby, Battle Creek, Michigan, grandchildren Arik (Nadine) Brown, Woodstock, Maryland, Nicole (Manny) Munguia, Chicago, Illinois, Lynsey English, Atlanta, Georgia, Brian (Lydia) Gibby, San Jose, California, great grandchildren Alexis and Joshua Brown, Sister-in-law, Marie Wright, Godson Joshua Dulin, special niece Virginia(Carl) George, special daughters, Judith Williamson, Estelle Spates, Joyce Hubbard, Cheri (Daniel) Willis, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and other loving family.
Ethel was preceded in death by her loving husband of 69 years James Gibby, her parents Eddie and Ethel (Merriweather) Richards, siblings Willie Mae French, Annie Mae Robinson, Harold Wright, and Sam Knox Jr..
The family will be present for visitation from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM Monday, February 19, 2018, at Baxter Funeral and Cremation Service, 375 W. Dickman Road.
A second viewing will be held on Tuesday, February 20, 2018, from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM at the Second Missionary Baptist Church, 485 N. Washington Avenue.
A funeral service will immediately follow on Tuesday at 12:30 PM with Reverend William Wyne Officiating.
Interment will take place in the Fort Custer National Cemetery
Memorials may be made out to the United Negro College Fund or Alzheimer's Association
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