FLORA M. GIBSON was born July 22, 1938 to the late Benjamin and Lucille Payne passed away peacefully on November 2, 2023 surrounded by her family.
Flora Mae was the fourth child of five children, three siblings proceeding her in death (Benjamin Payne, Jr., Johnnie Bell Dawson, Julia Lunnette Terry). Flora Mae accepted Christ as her personal savior at an early age and was baptized at Black Warrior River off of Highway 43 near the family church, New Morning Star Baptist Church in Demopolis, Alabama where she was an active member and sang in the choir. Flora attended school in Demopolis, Alabama and graduated from U.S. Jones High School. Shortly after graduating high school Flora moved to New Jersey and in 1958 moved to Buffalo, New York where she met and united in holy matrimony on October 21, 1962 to Zebbie D. Gibson. To this union came five children and the creation of a blended family, three of her bonus children preceded her in death (Zebbie Gibson Jr., Derek Gibson, and Vernon McCuthchen).
Flora joined Jordan Grove Baptist Church where she served under the leadership of the late Rev. Henry Ford, the late Glen H. Dubois, Rev. Connie Cox, and currently under the leadership of Rev. James H. Dubois. Flora was very active in her home church, serving as President of the Wings Choir, on the Deaconess Board, and on the kitchen committee.
Flora’s employment history consisted of working at her father’s restaurant, The Grand Terrace Café in Demopolis Alabama and after moving to Buffalo she was employed as a Tutor, at AM&A’s, Two Guys, Berger Shoes, Sattler’s Department Store, and retiring after 27 years from the United States Postal Service in 1997.
Flora had a keen sense of humor and her favorite restaurant was Cracker Barrel. Her immaculate fashions and big hats earned her the nickname Ms. Diva for she surely knew how to put an outfit together.
Flora loved traveling, dancing and going out to eat with her golden girls after Sunday morning service. If Flora didn’t feel up to cooking, she could always count on her good friend Matilda Morgan to bring her and Zebbie a meal.
Flora leaves to cherish her memory, husband Zebbie D of 61 years; five children: Jennifer (Michael) Merriweather, Carla Gibson, Pamela Gibson, Donell (Vernessa) Gibson, of Buffalo, NY and Steven (Stephanie) Gibson of Acworth, GA; bonus children: Linda (General)Rhome of Apopka, FL, Fred Gibson of Sanford, FL, Diane (Thomas)Wright, Wendell Pierce of Lackawanna, NY, and Ingrid Booze (Fred) of Buffalo, NY; one brother, Eddie (Florence) Payne of Buffalo, NY; grandchildren: Wakia (Latif) Muhammad of Deland, FL, Donell Gibson, Jr., Quanisha Kitchen of Buffalo, NY, Micah Gibson of Acworth, GA, Dontae’ Gibson Brinson Edrington, and Bryaunna(Tyequaion)Woodland, all of Buffalo, NY; numerous great-grandchildren; God-Children: Geoff and Dawn Terry; and a host of other relatives and friends.
The family will receive friends Saturday, November 11, 2023, 10 AM at Jordan Grove Baptist Church, 1264 Kensington Avenue, Buffalo, New York 14215. Funeral to follow at 11 AM. Interment Forest Lawn Cemetery.
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