Deborah Louise (Thomas) Gibson Obituary
There are only a few people in this world who distinguish themselves and impact our lives in a very special way. DEBORAH LOUISE THOMAS GIBSON uniquely displayed her outgoing, lively, spirited, yet loving disposition very well. She took purpose everywhere she went and made herself known to all who came to know and love her.
In the beginning, DEBORAH LOUISE THOMAS was born the fourth child to the union of the late Trustee Charlie James Thomas, Sr. and the late Mrs. Gattie Louise Sims Thomas. This great birth occurred on Monday, November 30, 1953 in Blackville, Barnwell County, South Carolina.
Seeking God’s direction and guidance, at an early age, Deborah joined and became a baptized member of the Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in Blackville, South Carolina under the leadership of the late Reverend Aaron Andrew Bush, Sr. and remained a faithful member throughout her entire life. Deborah was an active member of the 8:00 AM early morning service which is held every 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month. While in good health, she would also attend worship service and Wednesday night Bible study with two of her best friends, Mary Woods Felder and Carrie L. Woods at Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church in Blackville, South Carolina under the leadership of Reverend John D. Holston.
Deborah attended the Old Macedonia Schools in Blackville, South Carolina. Because of her academic excellence, she won the state spelling bee and was able to skip the eighth grade. Deborah was a member of the Macedonia High School Class of 1970. She continued her academic excellence as she attended Aiken Technical College, Aiken, South Carolina, receiving her Associate Degree in Public Service on July 24, 2003 while majoring in Early Child Care and Education. Deborah also attended Benedict College, Columbia, South Carolina, South Carolina State College (University), Orangeburg, South Carolina and earned her CDA from Bank Street College, Washington, DC. Following in the footsteps of her mother and maternal grandmother, Deborah was a former member of Pilgrim Chapter #7 Order of Eastern Star.
Prepared with a degree and higher education, Deborah enjoyed a successful and impactful career as an Educator for the Aiken/Barnwell Regional Head Start Program. Deborah retired her teaching career after 40 years of dedicated service. During that time period, Deborah also enjoyed employment with the Allendale-Barnwell Counties Disabilities and Special Needs Board where she committed 13 years of service.
Deborah owned the best restaurant in town (HER KITCHEN) serving delicious home-cooked meals to any and everyone who stopped by. Some of Deborah’s children and grandchildren favorite dishes consisted of her famous fried chicken, rice & gravy, chicken & noodles, macaroni and cheese, chicken tetrazzini, perlo rice and salmon patties, just to name a few.
In her leisure, Deborah enjoyed watching soap operas and the news. Some of her favorite TV shows were “In The Heat of The Night”, “The Golden Girls”, “The Andy Griffith Show”, and “Law and Order: Criminal Intent”. On Tuesday nights she would sit with her grandchildren and watch the TLC series “Doubling Down With The Derricos”. She immensely enjoyed talking on the telephone to family and friends and gleefully informed everyone who called her of all current local and world events and always ended each phone call by saying “Love ya!”. All of this was replaced during the Holiday season, when she found the Hallmark Channel as she would spend the entire day watching Christmas movies. Everyone who truly knew Deborah, knew her greatest joy was being with her FAMILY, especially her children, grands & great-grandchildren…no matter how small or large the occasion.
The beauty of DEBORAH’S STORY is through all she did, was, and is - life was never really easy for her, she just made it seem that way to us. To us, DEBORAH’S STORY is one of resilience and all that she has done, will be cherished forever! We thank God for the life that she lived, and time shared with us. She passed down her loving kindness, and faithfulness, and it is with these attributes and many more that will strengthen and encourage us all in the days that lie ahead. Our lives have truly been enriched because of her love, selfless ways and her giving spirit. God blessed her with sixty-eight (68) years of life, and she lived it to the glory of God, the benefit of her family and as a friend to countless numbers of people. She will be sorely missed, but forever loved.
When our Heavenly Father was on His journey, he chose precious angels to be placed on this earth. Today, one of His Angels will be laid to rest. At 12:28 PM, Tuesday, October 18, 2022, our dearly beloved Deborah Louise Thomas Gibson stepped aboard the Gospel Train, bound for Glory, while receiving care at The Augusta University Health Medical Center in Augusta, Georgia….and now she rests peacefully from her labors.
Deborah was preceded in death, welcomed at the pearly gates, and now resting with her beloved parents: father, Trustee Charlie James Thomas, Sr. and mother, Mrs. Gattie Louise Sims Thomas; paternal grandparents: Mr. Rayford Thomas, Sr. and Mrs. Callie Posey Thomas; maternal grandparents: Mr. Gattis Sims and Mrs. Mattie Louise Harley Sims; (3) three sisters: Ms. Beverly Thomas, Ms. Ruth Evelyn Thomas, and Mrs. Bernice Mamie Thomas Wiselteir; (4) four brothers: Mr. James Allen Thomas, Sr., Mr. Freddie J. Johnson, Mr. Pedro Johnson and Mr. Charlie J. Thomas, Jr. ; and most recently a best friend and special sister for over (50) years: Ms. Carrie Lee Woods. Imagine them waiting on her with open arms and a “Welcome Home”!!!
Bereaving family left to celebrate her life, mourn her departure, cherish fond memories and continue her astounding legacy are: (1) one loving son: Carlen E. Thomas (Tonya) of the home; (1) one devoted daughter: Sheena R. Gibson of Blackville, South Carolina; (1) one adopted daughter: Rosalind Brown of Aiken, South Carolina; a special granddaughter reared as her own: Kailyn C. Gibson of the home; (7) seven wonderful grandchildren: Davont’e Quincy Brown (Tonesha) of Newberry, South Carolina, Arianna Gibson of Barnwell, South Carolina, Jordan R. Gibson, Kahrin F. Mixon, Davida Mixon, A’Miyah Highsmith and Messiah G. Mixon all of Blackville, South Carolina; (2) two outstanding great-grandchildren: Syncere T. Brown and Rayshawn O. Brown both of Newberry, South Carolina; (8) eight adopted grandchildren: Demetria Williams of Barnwell, South Carolina, La’Sasha Simmons of Blackville, South Carolina, Zarion N. Barker of Cayce, South Carolina, Tamia I. Thomas of Spartanburg, South Carolina, Chiante N. Daniels of Greenwood, South Carolina, Kaleigh Harris, Kenadi Harris and Kelson Brown all of Aiken, South Carolina; (3) three sisters: Cynthia Thomas Mole (Adolph), Pamela Y. Thomas and Eva Mae Thomas Martin (Daniel) all of Blackville, South Carolina; (1) one brother: An’Dino L. Thomas of Greensboro, North Carolina; (1) one adopted sister: Annie Jean Thomas (Ozzie, Jr.) of Elko, South Carolina; (1) adopted brother: Jackie L. Reed (Sharon) of Blackville, South Carolina; (3) three special sisters and best friends for over (50) fifty years: Reverend Beverly J. Ashley of Williston, South Carolina, Mary Ella Woods Felder and Jurutha Arnold both of Blackville, South Carolina; (3) three sisters-in-law: Caroll Teresa Johnson and Carolyn C. Johnson both of Blackville, South Carolina and Claretta C. Thomas of Winston-Salem, North Carolina; (1) one brother-in-law: Gary Wiselteir of New York, New York; (2) two aunts: Mrs. Mildred Sims Godwin of Hampton, Virginia and Mrs. Nettie Mae E. Thomas of Blackville, South Carolina; (1) one adopted aunt: Mrs. Lillie Bell Gloster Bradley of Blackville, South Carolina; (1) one God-son: Voltaire Thomas; (1) one God-daughter: Shaquanda Hanberry; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, former students and sorrowing friends that will miss her dearly.
