Delores Martelle Gibson
January 1, 1926 – July 12, 2020
Services for Delores Gibson are on:
Wednesday, July 22, 2020 at 11:00 am
Thompson Funeral Home – Dexter Chapel
7643 Dexter Ave.
Detroit, MI 48206
Entombment at:
Cadillac Memorial Gardens – West
34224 Ford Rd, Westland, MI 48185
Delores Martelle Gibson was born in Monroe, Louisiana, on January 1, 1926, to John Sidney and Sophie (Burton) Gibson. She was the youngest of four children. The family resided in Iowa where Delores was reared and attended school in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, graduating from Roosevelt Senior High School in 1944. She joined Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church and was baptized there. She was an ardent Sunday School participant and was an active member in the B.T.V. young people’s group.
Later, she moved to Detroit, Michigan, and was employed by National Bank of Detroit. Following several years of banking she graduated from Wayne State University, receiving a B.A. degree in Liberal Arts and M.A. degree in Education. She was a teacher in Detroit Public School System for seventeen years, and was an extensive world traveler who enjoyed meeting people.
On visiting South Africa in 1996, Delores contributed toward the purchase of much needed library books for the Nelson Mandela High School in Cape Town, South Africa. Delores had a membership in the Detroit Federation of Teachers, and had membership in Wayne State University Alumni Association, also she had a life membership in the African American Historical Museum of Iowa.
She was a charter member of the Motor City Optimist Club of Detroit. She was chairperson of the Annual Essay Writing Contest and was on Fellowship and Newsletter Committees.
She was preceded in death by parents John and Sophie Gibson, three brothers Cornelius, Powell and Olen, and nephews Alfred John Gibson and Reginald Gibson.
Delores leaves to mourn her passing nieces, Paulette Clark, Delores Davis and Deborah Gibson; nephews Ronald Gibson and Olen E. Gibson, and close friend of many years, Dr. Timothy S. Mackey of Livonia, Michigan, and many other relatives and friends.
This world is not conclusion;
A sequel stands beyond,
Invisible as music;
But positive as sound.
Emily Dickinson
Sunrise: January 1, 1926 Sunset: July 12, 2020
Homegoing services will be Wednesday, July 22, 2020, at 11:00 a.m. EST, at Thompson Funeral Home, located at 7643 Dexter Avenue, Detroit, Michigan 48206. Livestream be available on www.thompsonfuneralhomedetroit.com
Dear Paulette and Family,
You’re in my thoughts and prayers.
Memories are the legacy of love.
Most sincerely,
Irma L. Horton
Dear Paulette and family,
You are in my thoughts and prayers. Memories are a legacy of love.
Sincerely,
Irma L. Horton
Detroit, Michigan
Thanks Aunt Delores for sharing your life stories with us.
“A class act.”
Love and farewell
Aunt Delores and I have shared some very special moments in the last couple of decades of her life. She is forever in my heart. Now she has been welcomed by our ancestors.
Nephew Ron Gibson
Aunt Dolly
We love and miss you
You are precious in our hearts
Love the Arizona Clark’s
I give my condolences to all the family. Sis Delores was a very respectable fine lady. The service was impeccable. I think Sis Delores would be very pleased by what the family have done on her behalf.
Dear Family of Aunt Delores,
Over the years, I have enjoyed hearing wonderful facts about Aunt Delores. She led a life that merits legendary status — her accomplishments but, more so, her persona. I have fond memories of meeting her in person in Cedar Rapids.
Very sorry for the loss of your beloved Aunt Delores, please accept my deep condolences.
Aunt Delores was a fine example of life, love, knowledge and generosity shared among many throughout her life.
Thank you all for sharing her with us. Cherish her memory and pass her stories on.
Phoebe Smith Porter
Jackson, MS
Dear Paulette and family,
We should all pray for the fullness and joy in our lives that Aunt Delores had in her 94 years. May the stories of her life continue to be shared with family and friends as she joins the ancestors.
With love,
Ruby Smith Love Family
Seattle