Penola M. Gibbs

Penola Mae Gibbs, born October 13, 1911, took an express chariot ride to see the King on April 13, 2003. She was the oldest of four children born to Andrew and Ernestine Woody in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Her sister Florence Bradley resides in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Youngest brother Norris Woody is deceased. Andrew “Buster” Woody is her oldest brother. School years for all were spent in Spartan burg, South Carolina.Mrs. Gibbs met and married the late Martin Luther Hill in 1935. They migrated to Baltimore in 1936. From this union came one daughter, Barbara J. Hill-Mason. Mr. Hill was deceased in 1942.In 1946 Mrs. Gibbs married the late Ned Whitfield. From this union came two children, Ned Whitfield and Jacqueline Whitfield Stewart Jenkins. Mr. Whitfield was deceased in 1969.1972 brought to union the marriage of the late Rev. Alfred Gibbs and Penola until his death in 1982. There were no children from this union.Her oldest daughter Barbara who remembers Mama as the best Mama in the world affectionately called her “Nolabird”. Daughter Jackie loved to call her “Teenager.” She was independently spry for ninety-one years of age. Only son Ned called her “Sweet Lady.”Mrs. Gibbs has been a member of Simmons Memorial Baptist Church for over fifty years and remembered quite well when it was called Union Temple Baptist Church. All three children were raised in this church, attended Sunday school in the little back room next to the pulpit and sang on the choir.She is survived by: her sister, Florence; all three of her children; two sons-in-law, Ellis Mason and Elmer Jenkins; and grandson-in-law, Kevin A. Johnson. Also surviving are grandchildren, Angelita and Kevin Whitfield, Linda Stewart, Tyrice Gorham, Tiffini Mason-Johnson; special memory to grandson, Kent Stewart; great-grand’s, Shamir, Shamara, DiJuan, Tiffany and Kendall; a caravan of relatives living in several states; and longtime friend Mrs. Colia Tarrant.A very special thanks to Frank and Minnie Thomas and their children Greg, Mike, Marco and Nakkia for the love you displayed toward mama in the years of her employment in the Thomas household where she helped nurture your children from babies to young adults. She loved you all very much, even up to her departure and knew the feeling was mutual.

Tributes

Penola M. Gibbs

October 13, 1911 - April 12, 2003