Katie Ethel Gibson

The sun set for our beloved, Centenarian Katie Ethel Gibson on Friday, October 3, 2025. Katie lived for 100 years and seven months. She was born on March 29, 1925 in Nash County, North Carolina to Percy and Mary-Clyde Sessoms. Being the eldest of 11 children, she grew up in Rocky Mount, North Carolina with her 10 younger siblings. Surviving siblings are Louise Dickens, Zena Powell, Leah Branch, Euzeal Hall, and Nacine High. Katie was preceded in death by her parents and siblings: Katherine Wood, Robert Sessoms, Ruth Jones, Mable Hines, and Percy Sessoms, Jr. Deceased in laws: Catherine Sessoms, Horace Jones, Roscoe Dickens, Sr., Lindburg Powell, Sr, Church Hines, Kenny Branch, Sr, Frank Hall, Jr, John High, Sr, and Jacqueline Sessoms. Deceased sister in laws: Catherine Sessoms and Jacqueline Sessoms. Katie attended Nash County Public Schools where she met the love of her life, Thomas Alexander Gibson. Prior to Thomas's death in 2013, the two were married for 71 years. During their union, they had seven children: Alexander Gibson (Octavia), Mary Hall (Alvin), Spencer Gibson (Saundra), Andy Gibson (Marie), Adraine Gibson, Stuart Gibson and Larry Gibson (deceased). Katie loved being a wife and mother. While raising their children, Katie worked and retired from Family Lifeline Services as a private duty nurse for many years. Afterwards, she began working in Richmond Public Schools where she enjoyed working in the cafeteria and eating those good rolls. Katie was full of spirit. She loved to dance and be the life of the party. Thomas loved it. While she entertained, he would sit back, watch her and smile. Thomas and Katie were long members of Triumphant Baptist Church in Richmond, Virginia and later became members of Rising Mt. Zion Baptist Church under the pastoral leadership of Pastor Roscoe Cooper III in Henrico County. Katie loved to shop. She had an impeccable sense of style. She and her sisters, known as "The Sisters", loved wearing hats and spending time together. Traveling back and forth to North Carolina was the highlight of her life where she shopped and picked collard greens and sweet potatoes for the holidays. Katie enjoyed watching her soap operas "All My Children" and "General Hospital". She also enjoyed talking about numbers, scratching lottery tickets and entertaining family by dancing like everyone was watching! Katie had an extended family at One Heart Residential in Highland Springs, Virginia where she resided during the past two years and became a grandmother to staff whom she bonded with and re-named to her liking. On Monday, September 22, 2025, Katie was honored by the County of Henrico County for being one of 150 Centenarians (over 100 years old) in a county of 350,000 citizens. During the event, she received an honorable letter of acknowledgement from United States Senator, Mark R. Warner of Virginia. She was the matriarch of her family; and she lived the longest amongst all of her relatives. On Sunday, September 28, 2025, Katie completed her civic duty by voting in the general election for the gubernatorial race in Virginia. On Friday, October 3, 2025, Katie fell into an eternal sleep and went to be with the Lord and her husband. Katie leaves to cherish four generations of children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great, great-grandchildren and a host family and friends who deeply love her. Her memory will live forever in our hearts.

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Katie Ethel Gibson

March 29, 1925 - October 3, 2025