Mazie B. Gibson

Mazie Barnes Gibson, 84, passed away peacefully on August 18, 2020. She was preceded in death by her parents, John Clifton Barnes Sr. and Mary Barnes; sisters, Elizabeth Barnes Perez, Delores Barnes Box; brothers, John Barnes Jr. She is survived by her children, Wanda Fontaine (Mit) and Tony Gibson (Darlene). Ms. Gibson is also survived by her grandchildren, Anthony Fontaine (Stephanie), Leigh Ann Foreman (David), Amanda Gibson and Morgan Gibson; great grandchildren, Amos Fontaine, Hagen Fontaine, Elias Fontaine, Hatcher Foreman, Jack Foreman, Molly Foreman and Layla Mae Tarver; her brother, Norman “Buddy” Barnes (Linda) and her former husband, Theo Gibson.

After a full life of 84 years, Mrs. Mazie (“MeMaw Mazie”) Gibson peacefully walked from this world into the arms of her loving Savior on August 18th, 2020. She was preceded in death by her parents, John Clifton Barnes, Sr. and Mary Barnes; her brother, John Clifton Barnes, Jr.; and her sisters, Elizabeth Barnes Perez and Delores Barnes Box. She is survived by her children Wanda Fontaine (Mit) and Tony Gibson (Darlene); her brother, Norman “Buddy” Barnes (Linda); and her former husband, Theo Gibson. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Anthony Fontaine (Stephanie), Leigh-Ann Foreman (David), Amanda Gibson, and Morgan Gibson; as well as great-grandchildren Amos, Hagen, and Elias Fontaine; Hatcher, Jack, and Molly Foreman; and Layla Mae Tarver.

Born in South Montgomery County on April 8th, 1936, she was the third of five children born to her parents. Her early childhood was spent in Pine Level, Alabama, and her adolescent years were spent in Texas. At the age of 16, she courageously moved back to Alabama on her own before graduating from high school. She completed her high school education after marrying Theo Gibson. She continued her education, earning a degree in Business, Bookkeeping, and Accounting from Massey Draughon Business College. She and Theo raised two children, Wanda Gail and Anthony “Tony” Craig. She had a long career in accounting, retiring from Jackson Thornton in Montgomery.

Mazie was a friend to many and a stranger to none. People gravitated to her warmth and friendliness. She was loyally devoted to her children, grandchildren, and friends. She faithfully served her church family at Highland Gardens Baptist Church by teaching Sunday school to children, youth, and adults, singing in the choir, and serving as the church treasurer. She loved to shop for her friends and family, and she could find a bargain like none other. She was quite the style icon--she couldn’t resist a great handbag or jewelry. The most remarkable qualities about Mazie, however, were her grace and strength in times of adversity and the joy that she found in her relationship with Jesus. She modeled to all around her the love of God, bravely loving all people and fearlessly forgiving wrongdoings.

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

Ephesians 4:32

Services for Ms. Gibson will be Saturday, August 21, 2020 at 10:00 AM with the visitation one hour prior at Leak Memory Chapel. Burial will follow at Hills Chapel Cemetery in Ramer, Al. Honorary pallbearers will be the Adult Senior Sunday School Class Santuck Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Youth Ministry at Santuck Baptist Church, Wetumpka, Al.