Funeral Mrs. Robbie Gibson

Scripture Reading

Job 19:25-27 “25 For I know that my Redeemer lives, And He shall stand at last on the earth; 26 And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, That in my flesh I shall see God, 27 Whom I shall see for myself, And my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!”

Welcome & Prayer

I want to thank you on behalf of this family for your attendance this afternoon for the Celebration of Life service for Mrs. Robbie Gibson. Mr. Theo’s health as well has declined and he just did not feel he could hold out through the service. Please keep Mr. Theo in your prayers. Theo, Rick, Lynn, Valerie & Bob along with Wanda and Tony and all of their families thank you for the calls and all of the expressions of love during this time.

Let’s Pray:

Oh Gracious Heavenly Father, God of the Universe, we thank you that you are the giver of life and you receive us in death. It is in your Son, Jesus Christ that we have hope of heaven and a place to live eternally in your presence. We thank you for your Holy Spirit that comforts in times as these. Heavenly Father, we thank you for the life of Mrs. Robbie Gibson. Your Word promises us abundant life founded in you and that was exemplified in the life of Mrs. Robbie. Thank you for these many years you shared her with us. Lord, be with Mr. Theo and this family as only you can. Provide your strength and direction with each passing day. Love on them and comfort them as only you can. Lord, we come to you this day in the hope that we can see Mrs. Robbie again one day. We thank you for your promise that to “be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.” In Jesus precious name we pray, Amen.

Song-Wanda Fontaine-”It is Well with My Soul”

Scripture Reading

Nothing bathes our soul like the Word of God in times like these.

Isaiah 40:28-29 “28 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. 29 He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength.”

Isaiah 40:31 “31 But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.”

Romans 8:38-39 “38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Song-Congregational Singing “Amazing Grace”

Eulogy Obituary

Robbie Elizabeth Baker Willingham Gibson passed away March 6, 2023. Born February 2, 1938 to Harold and Eddye Baker. She was preceded in death by her parents. Robbie is survived by her husband Theo Gibson; her sister Jeanne O’Riley; six children, Ric Willingham (Delle), Lynn Nobles (Walter), Valarie Buch, Bob Willingham (Lisa), Wanda Fontaine (Mitford) and Tony Gibson (Darlene). Eleven grand children: Jessica, Beth, Matthew, David, Rachelle, Savannah, Bobby Weston, Anthony, Leigh Ann, Amanda and Morgan. Twenty-two great grandchildren: Jailon, Zoe, Baylee, Sophie, Eva, Jordan, Selah, Evie, Kai, Eli, Charlie, Chelsea, Archie, Audrey, Amos, Hagen, Elias, Hatcher, Jack, Molly, Layla Mae and Jaylan; Great great grandchild: Tyson, nieces and nephews.

Robbie attended Lanier High School in Montgomery, AL., became an assistant for a local doctor and graduated from Cosmetology School. She was the states’ cosmetology president, had numerous famous political and entertainment clients and opened her own business, Tresses and Treasures, which combined two of her passions, hair styling and antiques. Robbie loved people and animals, adopting numerous of both throughout her life. She never met a stranger, loved entertaining youth and adults, and was an avid thrill seeker from driving a race car to riding an elephant. Her insatiable zest for life was contagious. Robbie loved her Lord, serving Him faithfully with her church family. She was an artist and phenomenal singer, using both talents for God.

Following our time this morning a Graveside service will be held at Hill’s Chapel United Methodist Church, Ramer, AL officiated by Reverend by Luke Finkelstein and Reverend Richard Rouse of Hill’s Chapel. Pallbearers today are Ric Willingham, Bob Willingham, Wally Nobles, Dwayne O’Riley, Tony Gibson and John Butler.

Theo shares: I went to see Mr. Theo Sunday after church at John Knox when I knew he was not going to be able to attend. Mr. Theo, If you could share a few words about Robbie, what would you want shared? Firstly, he shared that the last four days were pain free days for Robbie and holding hands for that time was a precious time. I asked what did you love most about Robbie? He stated that she worried more about him than she did her own health. She was feisty and would come to his protection and defense when they ( and I am assume caregivers) did not recognize the paralysis on his right side. Mr. Theo literally compromised his own health to lay there in the bed with her to simply be with her.

Lynn Writes about her mother:

Mama always strived to do her best in everything. She taught me this through example, from treating each person respectfully, kindly and with compassion to singing clearly and joyfully to and about our Lord. Mama enjoyed cleanliness, orderliness and held a high personal standard that I internalized and live by. Mama’s love of life and enjoying fun antics with her grandchildren are being passed forward with my grandchildren as I remember the crazy fun things she did with and for my sons such a wearing a large plastic alien creature on her shoulder throughout dinner at a restaurant on their dare. Making memories that last a lifetime are delightful! Memory from Tony Gibson; Robbie made an amazing squash casserole. She was a great hostess for Christmas gatherings with elaborate Christmas decorations, delicious eggnog and family gift swapping fun. Wanda Gibson Fontaine: Robbie and I are both Sopranos and share a love and joy for singing in church and choir. My favorite old memory was inviting her to join me in a community Christmas Choir event. We practiced together for many weeks and she participated in the Special Performance Presentation with our group. This was a beginning of a friendship  between us.  I know she is singing in a heavenly choir now. Bob Willingham writes: After four children and three miscarriages mom had to fight to find a doctor that would help her carry me to term. Every year on my birthday I would call Mom to tell her how much I appreciate the fight she gave so that I could live. No one could have had a greater champion than I did in my Mom.

Valerie Buch writes: Out of the four children I was the wild child. But no matter what I did to get in trouble, after the spankings or whatever punishment, Mom was always there to help me get back on track. No judgment. Just pure love and encouragement.

Pastor states:

I was Mrs. Robbie’s pastor for the last 8 years. My mother passed away at 68 years of age and there were so many traits about Mrs. Robbie that reminded me of my mother. She embraced fulfilling that maternal role in my life. She loved her Pastor.

Mrs. Robbie and Mr. Theo were faithful members and attended every week except for the last year. Mrs. Robbie enjoyed choir and loved to sing and sing she could. Others have mentioned that. Some of us chucked in choir last night how that Mrs. Robbie was determined to make our Baptist church charismatic with the tambourine she loved to grab and shake in service.

There are two words that speak out to me that will resonate with me and were her life lessons, her legacy to me as a Pastor:

Evangelical-Mrs. Robbie had a heart for people. Three things God used to His glory in Mrs. Robbie and Theo’s life was their home, a meal, and the van. When they came to church, they were picking up someone to ride with them. When they left to eat, somebody was going with them to eat and when they went home, someone was going with them to relax between the evening service. Mrs. Robbie enjoyed people, spending time with people, singing songs at the house for those that loved to sing, and she would use those times to inquire of their spiritual welfare. I think of names like Mark & Linda Green, Chester & Angi Merideth, Joe Cameron, Ed Ellenburg, James Stanfield. I learned just yesterday that Mrs. Robbie and Mr. Theo would include Bill & Marge Suhr in their holiday celebrations.

Encouraging-If anyone reminded me of a modern day Paul in the Bible, it was Mrs. Robbie. All of the time I knew Mrs. Robbie she was wheelchair bound. Lynn shared that she still cleaned her house, she still cooked, she still shopped, in other words, the wheelchair did not define her. She lived.

Philippians 4:8 “8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.”

There was no way that you were going to be an ole sour puss, negative or defeated around her. It was not happening.

She realized that:

1 John 4:4 “4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”

Song-Congregational Singing- “Victory in Jesus”

Funeral Message

Luke 7:40-50 “40 And Jesus answered and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” So he said, “Teacher, say it.” 41 “There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.” And He said to him, “You have rightly judged.” 44 Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. 45 You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. 46 You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. 47 Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same…”

This text follows the story of Jesus being invited to a Pharisee’s house to have dinner. A woman with an alabaster flask came into the room and begin to pour a very expensive oil on the feet of Jesus. She wept the entire time as she washed His feet with her hair. The Pharisees struggled with the fact that Jesus did not know what type of woman she was, in other words, they struggled with her past.

I do not use this text to address anything in Robbie’s past. All I know is that she has demonstrated an insatiable appetite for the Lord and the things of the Lord over these last 8 years that I have served as her pastor. I know she loved her husband and all of her family and was proud of everyone of you. I know she was industrious and loved doting over people and being a blessing to others.

But I do know that she never got over what Jesus did for her. The grace the Lord bestowed upon her. She lived life with the liberality that she was forgiven of her sins. She got it. If Mrs. Robbie were here right now.

Firstly she would say that she loves you. She loves you because she understood that the Scriptures state “God is love.” And because of her love for you I can almost hear her speaking to you as she did with Mr. Theo. She would tell you today that she is good, she is fabulous, she is in the arms of her Jesus. She is in perfect health and perfect harmony with Jesus.

She would be asking about you. She would be concerned about your welfare.

One must ask the question when you consider Robbie’s last ten years, how could she live with such zest, such a positive outlook on life? It was in the hope of Heaven, in perfect harmony with our Heavenly Father, an assurance that she was cleansed of her past, living in the grace of Jesus Christ.

Do you have that assurance today? A service such as this is to memorialize Mrs. Robbie, yes. But you need to know something important about a funeral. A funeral ministers to the living. It is a time we ask many questions about life and death. Times as these cause us to confront our own destinies. Why am I here? What is my purpose in life? When this life is over, I’ve worked all these years to rear a family and to get old, what then?

Do you know that if I were up here today speaking of you and preaching your funeral, do you know if your future is secure?

God’s Word says this:

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him, will not perish, but have eternal life.” If you’ve never made that commitment, do so today.

Let’s pray.

Benediction

Oh dear precious Heavenly Father, rain down your love and presence, your comfort and sustaining grace on this family. Thank you for the wonderful memories of Robbie. Thank you for her zest for life. Your Word is true, she lived in the abundance found in You. Please give this family vivid memories of those things that you want them to take from her life. Lord, I know there will be mourning, because the Scriptures state that you wept. We are to love deep and love hurts, but Lord I know you will be found faithful to see them through.

Numbers 6:24-26 “24 “The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; 26 The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.” ’”

Graveside Service

1 Corinthians 15:51-57 “51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 55 “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 “13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.”

Committal

Oh Heavenly Father, we thank you for your abounding mercy and grace. Thank you for the gift of life in Robbie Gibson. Thank you from all of these family and friends for these years you shared her with us. We thank you that you gave life through her with a large beautiful family. These remains we commit to you, they are just a shell, but she we thank you that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. We live in the hope of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ and in that hope we know Robbie is in perfect peace, health and harmony with you dear Lord. We thank you that we each can have victory over death in your Son, Jesus Christ.

Be with this family and love on them as only you can. May we remember your goodness exemplified in Robbie. Be with Mr. Theo in a special way in these days ahead. In Jesus precious name we pray, Amen.