Obituary for Prentis Henry Gibson
Prentis “Prince” Gibson, 80, of Battle Creek, died Saturday, March 26, 2022 at his residence of a terminal illness.
Prince was born September 22, 1941, in Patmos, Arkansas, to Prentis and Vera (Smith) Gibson. At the age of 4, his family moved to Battle Creek where he spent the remainder of his life.
He attended Battle Creek Central High School where he excelled on the Varsity basketball team. He played softball and baseball in high school and in the Senior Battle Creek Baseball League and Battle Creek’s recreational baseball, basketball and softball teams. Prince attended Kellogg Community College where he played on the basketball team, as well as playing Semi-pro Basketball for the Battle Creek Braves. He refereed many college basketball games as a Division I, II and III MIAA official and coached little league softball.
Prince was employed as a Production Supervisor for 10 years at Eaton Yale Corporation. He worked for the City of Battle Creek, in the Water Division, for 25 years, retiring in 2009.
Prince was inducted into Battle Creek’s Amateur Sports Wall of Fame in August 2021. He was recognized as having played in the Major Softball Division in the city for 12 years and the city’s softball leagues for 25 years.
Prince loved and cherished his family. He was well respected at his job and in the community. He was well loved and respected in the neighborhood in which he lived.
He is survived by his wife, Margaret “Grace”; sons, Derrick Gibson of Ray Brook, NY, DeVoine Gibson, Lansing; Darwin (Tia) Gibson, Battle Creek; Domonick Gibson, Battle Creek; daughters, Tiffany (Reggie) Jackson, Waco, TX.; Monique (Austin) Simons, Battle Creek; and LaShelle (Robert) of Athens; Stephanie Baker, Battle Creek; Grandchildren: DeVoine Gibson, Jr., Atlanta, GA; Darrien Gibson, Lansing; DeQynn Gibson, Battle Creek; Cydnee Gibson, Tallahassee, FL; LaMyah Gibson, Battle Creek; Megean Gibson, Ft. Worth, TX; RJ Jackson, Waco, TX; Amber Bell, Battle Creek; Jordan Cooper, Los Angeles, CA; AreShae Gumbs (deceased); D’Laiya Gumbs, Athens; Charley Williams, Athens; Deontai Casteel, Sunciera West, and Demetria Smith of Battle Creek; Sisters, Sharon Miller, Battle Creek, Patricia (Phillip) Ragland, Jackson; Dorothy Bazemore, McKinney, TX.; brother, Phillip (Nejla) Barbee, Studio City, CA and a host of nieces, nephews, great grandchildren and faithful friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Prentis Gibson, mother, Vera Caldwell and brothers, Parcell Gibson, Larry “Dr. Rock” Patrick and Bornell “Barney” Gibson.
A celebration of Prentis Gibson's life will be Tuesday, April 5, 2022 at 11:00 am at the Baxter Funeral & Cremation Service, 375 W. Dickman Road.
Memorials may be made to: the family of Prentis Gibson.
Arrangements by the Baxter Funeral & Cremation Service. 269-788-9800 www.baxterfuneral.com
Baxter Funeral & Cremation Service
269-788-9800
Prince was born September 22, 1941, in Patmos, Arkansas, to Prentis and Vera (Smith) Gibson. At the age of 4, his family moved to Battle Creek where he spent the remainder of his life.
He attended Battle Creek Central High School where he excelled on the Varsity basketball team. He played softball and baseball in high school and in the Senior Battle Creek Baseball League and Battle Creek’s recreational baseball, basketball and softball teams. Prince attended Kellogg Community College where he played on the basketball team, as well as playing Semi-pro Basketball for the Battle Creek Braves. He refereed many college basketball games as a Division I, II and III MIAA official and coached little league softball.
Prince was employed as a Production Supervisor for 10 years at Eaton Yale Corporation. He worked for the City of Battle Creek, in the Water Division, for 25 years, retiring in 2009.
Prince was inducted into Battle Creek’s Amateur Sports Wall of Fame in August 2021. He was recognized as having played in the Major Softball Division in the city for 12 years and the city’s softball leagues for 25 years.
Prince loved and cherished his family. He was well respected at his job and in the community. He was well loved and respected in the neighborhood in which he lived.
He is survived by his wife, Margaret “Grace”; sons, Derrick Gibson of Ray Brook, NY, DeVoine Gibson, Lansing; Darwin (Tia) Gibson, Battle Creek; Domonick Gibson, Battle Creek; daughters, Tiffany (Reggie) Jackson, Waco, TX.; Monique (Austin) Simons, Battle Creek; and LaShelle (Robert) of Athens; Stephanie Baker, Battle Creek; Grandchildren: DeVoine Gibson, Jr., Atlanta, GA; Darrien Gibson, Lansing; DeQynn Gibson, Battle Creek; Cydnee Gibson, Tallahassee, FL; LaMyah Gibson, Battle Creek; Megean Gibson, Ft. Worth, TX; RJ Jackson, Waco, TX; Amber Bell, Battle Creek; Jordan Cooper, Los Angeles, CA; AreShae Gumbs (deceased); D’Laiya Gumbs, Athens; Charley Williams, Athens; Deontai Casteel, Sunciera West, and Demetria Smith of Battle Creek; Sisters, Sharon Miller, Battle Creek, Patricia (Phillip) Ragland, Jackson; Dorothy Bazemore, McKinney, TX.; brother, Phillip (Nejla) Barbee, Studio City, CA and a host of nieces, nephews, great grandchildren and faithful friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Prentis Gibson, mother, Vera Caldwell and brothers, Parcell Gibson, Larry “Dr. Rock” Patrick and Bornell “Barney” Gibson.
A celebration of Prentis Gibson's life will be Tuesday, April 5, 2022 at 11:00 am at the Baxter Funeral & Cremation Service, 375 W. Dickman Road.
Memorials may be made to: the family of Prentis Gibson.
Arrangements by the Baxter Funeral & Cremation Service. 269-788-9800 www.baxterfuneral.com
Baxter Funeral & Cremation Service
269-788-9800