Funeral Service-Theo Gibson

November 13, 2023 2:00 pm (Graveside to follow-Hills Chapel)

Prelude Music Rev. Randy Godfrey

Welcome & Invocation Pastor Luke

I want to welcome you today to this Celebration of Life Service for Mr. Theo Gibson. Thank you on behalf of this family this morning, children- Wanda & husband (Mitford), Tony and wife (Darlene), stepchildren- Lynn & husband (Walter), Rick & wife (Dale), Valarie, Bob & wife (Lisa). the grandchildren, and great grandchildren along with all the extended family, they thank you for your presence here, and all your many expressions of love and they cherish your prayers. Prayer

Dearly beloved, God of the universe, you are the giver of life. Lord, you are our Comforter, our Sustainer, you are an ever present help in times of trouble Dear Lord and our Savior. Holy Spirit invade us with Your presence and nurture upon this family. Lord would you fill them in this void, this absence they are experiencing and comfort as only You can. Lord, I know this family hurts because love hurts. For your Word teaches that “God is love”. Lord, We pray that their hurts, their sense of loss can be comforted with the assurance of Your word, “to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.” I pray they know that assurance that their dad, their granddad and all the family dynamic relationships and friends her will realize that Mr. Theo is in perfect peace, in perfect place and in the perfect presence of his loved ones, but especially the perfect presence of Jesus.

Dear God, thank you for sharing Theo with us for this time you alloted. Dear Lord, you brought life. in Mr. Theo and you chose Theo to be Your instrument to bring life into the world and we say thank you. Lord, thank you for this wonderful family You blessed him with. You extended his generations and we say “thank you”.

Scripture Reading Pastor Luke

Song Amazing Grace Rev. Randy Godfrey

Scripture Reading Pastor Luke

Eulogy Pastor Luke

OBITUARY

Theo Gibson

MARCH 16, 1935 – NOVEMBER 7, 2023

Theo Gibson, a lifelong resident of Montgomery County, Alabama, passed away peacefully on November 7, 2023, after an extended decline in his health, at the age of 88. He was born on March 16, 1935.

He was preceded in Death by his Parents. J. C. and Lucille Gibson, his sister Audrey Champion Wingard and his adopted sister Sally Gibson. He was also preceded in death by his first wife Mazie Barnes Gibson and his second wife Robbie Willingham Gibson. Theo was blessed to have had the love of these two remarkable women in his lifetime.

He is survived by his brother, Carl Gibson, Senior, his sister in-law Jeanne O'Riley and his children and their spouses: Wanda Gibson Fontaine (Mitford), Tony Gibson (Darlene), Lynn Nobles (Walter), Rick Willingham (Dale), Valarie Buch, Bob Willingham (Lisa).

Twelve Grandchildren: Anthony, Leigh-Ann, Amanda, Morgan. Jason, Jessica, Beth, Matthew, David, Rachelle, Savannah and Bobby Weston. Twenty -two Great grandchildren, one great, great grandchild, many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Theo Graduated from the Pine level Primary thru High School in 1953. He worked on his father's farm and with his father's Logging business until he enlisted in the Army during the Korean War. He joined the Montgomery Fire Department in 1956 and retired in 1976 as a (Lt.). Theo then continued to run his own Logging/Pulpwood operation and worked with Boyett and Waldrip Wrecker / Towing Companies for many years. He had a reputation of being a "junkman", as he collected and resold junk and salvaged vehicles. Theo was a generous person, quick to help a stranger, a family member or a neighbor who found themselves in a crisis or situation in which assistance was needed.

Theo, came to know Christ as his Lord and Savior in 2014, after a wandering spiritual journey. He was baptized at Mt. Zion Baptist Church at that time.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Missions Fund at Mt. Zion Baptist Church:

3828 Mt. Zion Rd. Ramer, AL 36069.

Following our time together, we will proceed to Hills Chapel in Ramer, Alabama for the Graveside Service.

Pallbearers : Sid Sanders, Mike Gibson, William (Shorty) Gibson, Anthony Fontaine, Thomas Merideth and Tony Gibson.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Leak-MC.com for the Gibson family.

Ted Turnipseed shared:

Theo and I grew up within a mile of each other. We went to the Pine Level School all the way through High School at what is now Red’s Little School House. When Theo could drive and bought his first car it was a Model A Ford and I rode with him to school. You know there are always smartelics in school, but Theo was always friendly. Even at a very young age, if Theo told you something you could bank on it and that was true all of his life. Everyone I spoke to shared about Theo’s work ethic. He would always have two or three things going at one time. Many people in life would see a need, but not give, but Theo would help people. He had a giving spirit. Mr. Ted said that Mr. Theo was colorblind when it came to race and helping people. Amen.

Funeral Sermon Pastor Luke

I served as Mr. Theo and Mrs. Robbie’s pastor since 2015. Just one year before I came to Mt Zion, Mr. Theo was gloriously saved and if anyone’s salvation experience took, it was Mr. Theo. He was at church every time the doors opened until both He and Robbie’s health declined. He loved when we would visit him at John Knox on the 4th Sunday’s and sing and pray for him.

The story goes like this:

Mark 4:35–41 “35 On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” 36 Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. 38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” 39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. 40 But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” 41 And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!””

Journey

Jesus had been ministering all day and the disciples had been along with Jesus as a support and being discipled in ministry. Evening had come, the end of a long hard day of service for Jesus in His Humanity. Jesus being all God and all man experienced all the fatigue, the labors of this life and hurts. He was spent by the end of the day and as they all got in the boat, He made a statement, He made a promise to those disciples that night.

“I will see you on the other side” and dear friends and family, Jesus made that same promise to Mr. Theo. We say in life many times that life is between the dashes. Between that birth and death date I read at the beginning of that obituary. Life is so much like this story. When we set sail in life we do not know what a day brings. There are many days that are calm as glass, the fishing is excellent, the sun is shining, the birds are chirping, love is in the air, our families flourish, business is good and all is well. Then there are other days even as we all are experiencing at this very moment with the passing of my dear brother Theo.

Jolts

Jesus made Theo the same promise. “I will see you on the other side.” As the story goes the disciples were operating in their comfort zone because they were fishermen that were in that boat that day. Yet, they were experiencing something on the Sea of Galilee they had never encountered. The seas were raging and they were fearful for their lives. The death of our loved ones is uncharted waters. It can bring about great fear.

A time as this as we are jolted by Theo’s passing, it can cause us to ask questions. WE think about life and the brevity of life.

James 4:14 “14 whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.”

The jolts of life cause pauses to ask the questions, the hard questions. What has my life been about to this point? If and when I pass this life what will my life stand for? How will I be remembered? Where am I going when I leave this life?

I imagine all of those thoughts went through those disciples minds as they jolted Jesus from His sleep and they stated to Jesus:

Mark 4:38 “38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?””

Oh listen to me dear friends and family, He cared that those disciples felt as if they were perishing. He cares that by the world’s standards, it would appear that Theo has perished.

But listen to what Jesus did?

Mark 4:39–41 “39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. 40 But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” 41 And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!””

What is the importance of this story? Quite simple. Jesus was in the boat. Jesus promised “I will see you on the other side.” In the dash called life we do not know what all the journey entails many times, in fact life has its jolts along the way.

The Bible says that:

John 3:16 “16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

Jesus experienced death in our place to take away the sins of the world, yours and mine.

Jesus said to those men :”Why are you so fearful. Why is it that you have no faith.”

Theo exhibited that faith and placed His trust in Jesus and in so doing, He realized the great promise, “I will see you on the other side”, “to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.” Amen.

Paul wrote “to live is Christ and to die is gain.”

2 Corinthians 1:3–5 “3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.”

Do you have that assurance today that if we were reflecting upon you, do you have that assurance of a relationship with Jesus and a home in heaven?

Song How Great Thou Art Leigh Ann

Closing Prayer Pastor Luke

Oh dear Jesus, thank you for loving us and giving your life that we may live. I thank you for that incomprehensible promise. Lord, thank you for the life of Theo Gibson. Thank you for his walk and his testimony. Be with this family and love them as only you can. Lift them, undergird them, comfort them and we ask for your sustaining grace. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Graveside Service

Hill’s Chapel

Scripture

Revelation 1:17–18 “17 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. 18 I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.”

Revelation 14:13 “13 Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.””

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.”

John 14:1–3 “1 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”

This afternoon we can gain confidence knowing that Mr. Theo’s earthen vessel, this body is no more. He has a heavenly body, he is in a place called heaven, a holy place, jointed with his loved ones in the holy presence of the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, looking upon the holiness of dear Jesus. Amen.

Prayer

Lord, this afternoon we are confronted with life and death and we face the fact that Mr. Theo Gibson has passed from this world. Oh Lord, help each of us to understand it is only for a season for those of us that believe on Your Son Jesus. Lord, as I know this family and friends will experience grief, I pray that you offer the comfort with your divine favor on these loved ones. Although this time is disappointing, offer your hope, offer us your courage that we can look forward with the fond assurance of knowing we will join our loved ones again, we can be joined with Theo, but especially we will be joined with You, dear Jesus. Lord, abide with these friends and family and join us all together in glory one day. We pray this in the Your Son’s holy name, Jesus. Amen.