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I am sorry to announce that my mother, Irene Gibbs, went to be with
the Lord around 3 PM on September 10, 2010. Many of our readers know Irene as the person who answered the phone at The Christian Classifieds. She passed peacefully, more or less while sleeping. My son Avery was
the last of our family to be with her before she died and she seemed to be trying to respond to his presence. After he went back upstairs, her sitter said she took one last big breath and began to slip away. Her
sitter buzzed us and we all went down to her bedside to be with her as she passed.
Mom was a terrific mother, she loved her sons so dearly. She did all that she could to give Jerry and me a full,
happy life. Raising two sons as a single parent was not an easy task, but one she embraced with all of her life. We could not have asked for a more loving mother. She set a great example of how to live a good
life. I learned so much from her just by watching her life. When I became a Christian, my personal lifestyle did not really change because mom had already raised me to live right. She was always sacrificing her
desires to make sure that Jerry and I had things we needed or desired. Most times we did not even realize how much she sacrificed. Life was not easy for her, but she got to enjoy some great life experiences. She
spent many happy years at the church where all three of us found the Lord on the same night, Evangel Temple. She especially loved singing in The Evangel Temple Choir. I think her happiest times (aside from her
sons) were when she worked as Johnny Cash's executive secretary. She loved every day of working in The House of Cash, taking care of John’s affairs and participating in all of his projects. She loved
John and June and had a strong personal loyalty to both of them that was more about friendship than employment. I was blessed over the past years to have her work with me in running The Christian Classifieds. She
tried to bring a personal touch to our business and if I happened to answer the phone, many of our customers ask about or for her when they called.
Her other great love in life was her grandchildren.
Rebecca and Avery came late in her life, but she was around long enough to enjoy watching them grow up. I am so grateful to have been able to include her as a part of our household for the past nine years so she
could be a part of their lives. Rebecca would always have to perform her latest songs for mom or act out her latest part for a church or school drama. Mom was someone Rebecca was able to confide in with her
troubles and feelings. They had a beautiful relationship. Rebecca often would share with mom her book and screenplay writing. Mom was her editor-in-chief and trusted adviser. They recently spent many hours reading
the Left Behind series of books together. Mom recently told me how very special Rebecca was to her and how very much she loved her.
Avery was always doing little things to help mom out. He often would
pop in the see how she was doing and then pop back out. He loved to tease mom. When he was younger, he would craw into her room, around her bed and then jump up and surprise her. Whenever he would get a new
addition to any of his collections (and he has several), he would pack up all of them and take them down to her room to show her. He wanted to include her in everything that was important to him. Mom loved the
attention Avery gave her. She loved watching him through her big windows as he played in the back yard. She loved his spirit and his spontaneity. Rebecca and Avery both loved mom very much. I know it will be very
hard on them to have mom no longer with us.
My wife, Sherry, is an incredible jewel. For the past 4 years since mom was totally bed bound, Sherry has taken care of all of mom’s needs. Mom often
told me how she thankful she was for us letting her live in our home instead of putting her in a nursing home and for all of the loving care that Sherry gave her. It has not always been easy and we have had to
make lots of sacrifices, but it was a task of compassion and love that Sherry willingly took on. I could not have asked for a more wonderful and compassionate wife. Mom could not have loved Sherry any more if she
had been her own daughter.
There is so much more to say about mom. She was loved by so many and loved so many.
Please be in prayer for Jerry (my brother), Tammy (Jerry’s
wife), Sherry, Rebecca, Avery and me as we adapt to this huge loss in our lives.
Mom, it is so hard to let go of you, but in spite of the hurt we feel now, we have the great hope of all of us being
together again in Heaven one day! Until then, we will miss you mom, you will never know how much we love and respect you! God Bless Your Sweet Soul!
Tommy
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