Lena Gibson Row

Lena is survived by daughter Sherrie Row-Silverstein (husband Geoff); daughter Susan Wilke (husband Eric); grandchildren Taylor Silverstein, Forrest Wilke, Ryan Wilke, and Sara Wilke; brothers Clarence Gibson and Charles Gibson; sisters Luna Altizer and Donna Briscoe. In addition she is survived by an aunt, an uncle, multiple sisters and brothers in-law; dozens of cousins and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. She was pre-deceased by husband Maurice F. ‘Skip’ Row Jr.; mother Laura Pearl Gibson; father Leon Gibson; and brother Claude Gibson.

After her high school graduation, Lena left her hometown in Madisonville TN and started work in Washington D.C. It was here she met her future husband Skip while they were both working for the FBI.

After marriage they lived in Virginia while Skip attended college and she began her career with the telephone company. Lena and Skip moved to Charlotte N.C., settling into her new home city for over fifty years. Lena worked over twenty-five years and in 1995 retired with AT&T.

After her husband’s passing and her own retirement, Lena found a second career with H&R Block, finally retiring for good at age 81. During her career Lena made many friends whom she kept until the end.

Lena was a member of Grace United Methodist Church for almost 50 years. During this time she was a member of the Skip Row Sunday School Class and United Methodist Women’s group. She faithfully served her church community for those many years helping with church services, volunteering, and serving on committees.

One of the most special attributes Lena had was her ability to make and keep a friend. In her final days she was loved by her childhood friends that she had kept in touch with and visited her whole life; her work friends from both her original career at BellSouth to her post-retirement work at H&R Block; her neighbors both current and former and friends she made along her walk through life.

Lena never met a stranger; she was a good neighbor and a good friend to the very end. Whether it was camping, traveling, movies, shopping or other activities these friends were woven into her life story.

Lena had an extraordinary family. Life took her away from Tennessee and immediate family. Luckily, she worked for the phone company to help keep down the great bills she would’ve accumulated from hours of talking on the phone with them. Lena visited and vacationed with family every chance she could, spending early life traveling with her husband and girls and later years flying off to spend weeks with those loved ones because she couldn’t stay away.

While Lena was lucky to travel to many states and several European countries, her heart always remained in Tennessee.

If a life’s worth can be measured in love and friendship, Lena was richly blessed.

A celebration of life is scheduled for 2pm on Saturday, October 15, 2022 at McEwen Funeral Service located at 5716 Monroe Road in Charlotte.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Lena's name to Lewy Body Dementia Assocation (LBDA.org).