James W. Gibbs Sr.

James W. Gibbs, Sr. departed this life and into the peaceful and loving arms of Christ Jesus our Savior on August 30, 2015 at home. He was born on July 10, 1914 in Engelhard, North Carolina. He was the son of the late William and Cora Gibbs. He met the love of his life, Ola Mann while working in the cotton and tobacco fields in North Carolina. They were married on May 14, 1936. They later moved to Delaware with five of their 11 children. He was well-known all over the world because of his kindness and living the best of his life at the age of 101. They moved the family to a place called the big house, as known where all the North Carolina people lived. There, he found his first job at Townsend’s Pulp Wood. Afterwards, he went to work in different fields. He worked for Swift Company in Georgetown, DE for 50 years and then worked for Bunting Nursery in Selbyville, DE for 30 years. He then retired but continued working various side jobs. He loved his gardens, growing collard greens, planting trees and tending to his grapevines. He also enjoyed cooking. Some of his favorite foods included cornbread and cabbages. He was a father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great grandfather and a great-great-great grandfather through five generations. Dad will sadly be missed but not forgotten. We will always remember the good times. He was the only survivor that lived. He is preceded in death by his wife, Ola Gibbs; two sons, Wilbert and James Gibbs, Jr.; his parents, William and Cora Gibbs; his brothers, David Lee, Amos, George, John and Milton Gibbs and his two sisters, Ella Lee and Earlene Gibbs. He is survived by nine children: Lola (Eugene) Jackson of Seaford, Delaware, Mable (Donald) Hopkins of Georgetown, Delaware, Lilly (Robert) Williams of Harbeson, Delaware, Kay Purnell of Georgetown, Delaware, Thomas Sr. and Ora Gibbs of Lithonia, Georgia, Frank Sr. (Mary) Gibbs of Georgetown, Delaware, Robert Gibbs of Ellendale, Delaware, Kenny (Melvina) Gibbs of Harbeson, Delaware and Joetta (William) Harmon of Ellendale, Delaware; one lovely daughter-in-law, Dorothy Gibbs of Boston, Massachusetts; three sisters-in-law, Jessie Cole of New York, Patricia Mann of Seaford, DE and Delores Andrews of Hurlock, MD and one brother-in-law, Joseph Posey of New York. He also leaves to cherish his memory 29 grandchildren; 99 great– grandchildren; 33 great-great grandchildren; 11 great-great-great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James W. Gibbs Sr., please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.

James W. Gibbs Sr.

July 10, 1914 - August 30, 2015