Jessie Lake

Jessie Lucille Gibbs Lake, daughter of the late William Walter and Emma V. Wilkerson Gibbs was born on November 19, 1924 in Marydel, Maryland. She departed this life on August 12, 2010 at San Bernadine Medical Center in San Bernadino, California.

In addition to her parents, *Jessie* as she was affectionately known was preceded in death by three sisters, Margaret P. Gibbs, Florence E. Blackston and Merna V. Williams and five brothers, W. Ralph Gibbs, W. Emory Gibbs, Homer A. Gibbs, J. Garfield Gibbs and John C. Gibbs.

Jessie received her early education in the public schools of Caroline County Maryland and graduated from Lockerman High School in Denton, Maryland. Jessie was baptized as an infant in Mt. Zion Methodist Church in Marydel, Maryland and attended faithfully along with her parents and siblings.

As a young adult, Jessie worked at the Kent General Hospital in Dover, Delaware and it was there that she met Emerson W. Lake.

Jessie and Emerson were joined in holy matrimony on March 30, 1946, lived for a while in Wilmington, Delaware and shortly thereafter moved to San Bernadino, California where their Aunt Ida lived. In 1959 they became the proud parents of the joy of their lives, Wendell Emerson Lake.

Jessie furthered her education in California and worked as a beautician and hair stylist for many years. She then decided to fulfil her lifelong dream of becoming a nurse. She worked in several hospitals and nursing institutions in the San Bernadino area before retiring several years ago.

Jessie was a member of St. Paul AME Church where she served on the nursing staff as well as the usher board. Jessie was a proud 50-plus year member of Lily of the Valley Chapter 12 OES. She served in many capacities over the years including that of Worthy Matron.

Together Jessie, Emerson and Wendell traveled all over California and neighboring states and made many train, plane and auto trips back to the East Coast of Maryland and Delaware to visit family and friends. Jessie and her family gave us the *Royal Treatment* when we visited with them in California.

Jessie leaves to cherish her sweet and precious memories, her loving and devoted husband, Emerson W. Lake, her precious and equally devoted son, Wendell E. Lake, both of San Bernadino, CA; four sisters, Gladys Seals and Lillian Seals of Barclay, MD; Joyce Seals of New Castle, DE; and Virginia Johnson of Wilmington, DE; three sisters-in law, Doris Caldwell and Gloria Taylor of Washington, DC and Annie Gibbs of Baltimore, Maryland; two brothers-in law, Oscar Seals of New Castle, DE and Donald Williams of Wilmington, DE; a very devoted and dear friend, Adele Watson; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other family and friends.