Christine Gibbs-Holder

When someone is identified as a natural leader, certain images come to mind. First thoughts are of a no-nonsense, tough-minded, dedicated and disciplined person. This description accurately fits Christine Gibbs-Holder who was indeed a born manager. She will be remembered as being highly organized, practical and realistic. She was a person who always carried a strong sense of duty with her throughout her life. Possessed with traditional “old school” morals, Christine was an individual who clearly communicated to those around her just who she was and what she was all about. Everyone acquainted with Christine knew her as a well-respected woman who was a stable force in her community.

Her parents were "Bud" Edward Gibbs and RoseMary Lee. Christine was raised in Brooklyn, Manhattan, Las Vegas, and Staten Island. Even as a youngster, Christine learned to be objective and decisive. Her faith in the principles of authority and dependability was something that she carried with her throughout her life.

As a young girl, Christine was able to put her natural abilities to work. She was a bit like the sergeant of the family, helping to make sure that the others did what they should do and that they avoided those things they weren’t supposed to. In other words, she liked to organize and direct. Christine was raised with 9 siblings. She had two older brothers, Bill Lee and James, one older sister, Sylvia, two younger brothers, Joseph and Leroy and four younger sisters, Gertrude, Ellia Mae, Eileen and Rosa Lee. Christine had an inborn appreciation for the order in the family, allowing for the oldest members to be the most respected and to take on the most responsibility. For Christine, this was a natural order of life, one she gladly embraced.

Christine's matter-of-fact attitude about most things was developed during her childhood. As a young girl, Christine enjoyed being part of teams, and organizations and groups of other kids who shared similar interests. Christine took part in double dutch and fighting. In her spare time she loved crocheting, sewing, crafting, making red clay mud pies, doing jig saw puzzles, reading and snacking on chunky peanut butter and chocolate. . Especially sugar and butter sandwiches, OR, a stick of butter dipped in sugar.

In school, Christine was as close to being a model student as one could possibly imagine. She sought to achieve perfect attendance in all of her classes. She would eagerly complete her homework, and often put in extra study time when she felt it was necessary. A logical and focused thinker, Christine was always good at following directions and meeting her schedules, whether they were set by her teachers or were self-imposed. Christine’s personal motto could well have been, “Do it right the first time. She enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes and teachers. Her favorite class in high school was Home Economics. She was top in her class in Stenography - over 200 wpm and won an award for being the fastest typist in the school. She was also top in short hand and was visited in her home by her teacher for her excellence in her class.

Christine was sociable and approachable. Because she was always so straightforward in how she approached relationships, friends and family knew that what they saw was always what they got. She enjoyed the camaraderie of being with a group of friends. When Christine was a member of a group, her interaction worked to keep the others grounded. She wasn’t afraid to confront her friends and, when necessary, she challenged them to stick to the task at hand. Those close to Christine came to expect her high standards of performance. While growing up, some of her best friends were Catherine Robertson, Skippy, Carolyn Bellamy and Linda Grey. Donna Bliss was her best friend growing up but as an adult her best friends were Crystal Baker, Mary Morgan and Pat Davis.

An objective and conscientious individual, Christine reveled in the security of her family. One of Christine’s most endearing qualities was her uncanny ability to remember important dates and anniversaries, and her unending enthusiasm for organizing a celebration for her family and friends.

Christine was ever watchful of her children. She worried about them and was deeply concerned for their development as they grew up. She maintained a firm hand in their upbringing. Christine would give her stamp of approval to their requests, as long as she could see how they might benefit. She also had the ability to enforce the rules as needed to ensure that her children were properly raised. Christine was blessed with three children, Tharon Andrew Gibbs, Tasheara Eileen Gibbs, Tayzia Ramee Holder. They were also blessed with nine grandchildren, Kimberley Jenkins 19, Andrew Gibbs 15, Avonti Hubbard 13, Jayden Hubbard 10, Carl Gore 10, Jzane' Gore 7, Kyla Hubbard (deceased), Lillianna Gore 5, Machenzee Gibbs 3.

Being a hard worker who praised efficiency, Christine was always striving to make improvements where they were necessary. She was able to analyze situations and problems, keeping everything and everyone on track. An excellent project supervisor, Christine was a person who could quickly make decisions based on the information available. She worked cooperatively and expected the same from her colleagues. In both her personal and professional environments, Christine upheld her standards. Her primary occupation was administrative supervisor. She was employed for PDC for 10+years, Health Insurance Plan in New York for 10+years and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department for 7+years. She also ran a toy hospital for her children and grandchildren for 37+years. Christine was a team player who certainly lived out the motto of “give me a job, and I will get it done.”

Christine approached her leisure time in the same manner that she approached her life. A person who enjoyed being neat and orderly and one who understood the nature of things, she appreciated the hours she was able to devote to her various hobbies. Her favorite pursuits were shopping for her grandkids, eating out, sewing, doing puzzles, cooking with the grandkids, listening to gospel, playing computer games, going to shows and growing things. Christine was content to enjoy her favorite pastimes alone but was also willing to share her interests with others.

Being generous with her time and energy, Christine liked to belong to a variety of groups and organizations. She was a vocal leader who enjoyed being a part of things. Her desire to uphold traditions and her ability to take charge of any type of project made her a tremendous asset. In high school, Christine was a member of the Girl Scouts.

Faith was important to Christine. For that reason she held deep spiritual beliefs that she was willing to share. She was a member of Victory Missionary Baptist Church for 10+years. During that time, she was involved in the fellowships, worked in the childrens's church and was a member of the Keenagers.

When it came time to travel or take a vacation, Christine used her scheduling expertise to make sure everyone and everything was ready to go. That also meant that she made certain no single person was overworked in putting the trip together. Christine had a knack for making sure that everyone who was involved had their specific tasks and that those tasks were completed. Favorite vacations included her trips to the Bahamas and to Virginia. She also loved taking our entire neighborhood to Six Flags, Coney Island and Rye Playland.

Christine was a lover of animals and cherished her pets. One of Christine’s favorites was Pogo, he was a mutt and she loved him. They were best friends for 6+years.

When Christine’s retirement finally arrived in 2005, she was well prepared. She used her critical evaluation skills to make sure that every detail had been preplanned and attended to. Her new life involved relocating to Las Vegas, Nevada. In retirement, she found new pleasure in staying active in church and hanging with her grandchildren. In many ways, Christine loved retirement. It provided her with the opportunity to catch up with her friends, attend functions and group outings, and tackle new interesting activities.

Christine passed away on August 4, 2012 at Valley Hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada. God called her home . . She had fulfilled her purpose. A Celebration of Life was held at home with family.

Christine is survived by her daughter, Tasheara Gibbs; daughter, Tayzia Holder; son, Andrew Tharon Gibbs; brother, James Gibbs; brother, Joseph Gibbs; sister, Gertrude Thomas; brother, Leroy Gibbs; sister, Eileen Gibbs; grandson, Avonti Hubbard; grandson, Jayden Hubbard; grandson, Carl Gore; granddaughter, JZane Gore; granddaughter, Kimberley Jenkins; grandson, Andrew Gibbs; grandson, Mac Henzee Gibbs; granddaughter, Lily Gore; niece, Shawnette Gibbs; nephew, James Gibbs, Jr.; niece, Reha Gibbs; nephew, Ryan Gibbs; niece, Leara Graves; nephew, Julian Gibbs; niece, Teri Thomas; nephew, Leroy Gibbs, Jr.; niece, Alicia Moten; niece, Airelle Allen; niece, Umeeka Gibbs; nephew, Jamal Gibbs; nephew, D'Andre Gibbs; great niece, Creasa Gibbs; great niece, Precious Gibbs; great niece, Lily Gore; great niece, Jazmin Graves; great nephew, Joshua Graves; great nephew, James Gibbs, III; great niece, Azaria Gibbs; great nephew, Aidan Gibbs; great niece, Lily Gibbs; great niece, Rosie Gibbs; great niece, Keyaraha Gibbs.

All who knew her would agree that Christine was a pillar of the community. She lived her life with her feet firmly on the ground. She had a strong work ethic, was pragmatic in her thoughts and acts, and constantly sought the means for self-improvement. She was willing to share her ideas and knowledge for the benefit of others, so that they could accomplish more in their lives. Christine Gibbs-Holder did her best to ensure that her family, friends, loved ones, co-workers, and everyone whose life she touched was given the chance to become a better person.

Arrangements under the direction of Palm Downtown Mortuary, Las Vegas, NV.