Hilda Henrietta Gibson

Hilda “Henrietta” (Keys) Gibson was born April 5, 1927 and entered into God’s presence on July 27, 2024. She was born to Granville and Geraldine Keys of Ferrum, Va. The family finds peace in knowing that their loved one is now with the Lord and enjoying a great family reunion. She loved the Lord, her family and her work. 

Henrietta accepted Christ at an early age and was a long-standing member of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church where she was an active member of the Usher Board and Culinary Ministry . She was a caring mother, grandmother, great- grandmother, great-great grandmother and was blessed with many friends, young and old, throughout her life.

One of her greatest gifts was cooking. She shared this gift for many years a as a cook at Ferrum College, from which she retired as Food Service Supervisor of 38 years. Henrietta also utilized her gift of cooking by serving as a key lead member of the Culinary Ministry at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church. The kitchen was the heart of her home until her health failed. To name a few, her most requested dishes were yeast rolls and pound cakes. If not serving through kitchen ministry and the usher board, her favorite pastime was preparing tasty dishes for her family and talking to her friends and relatives far and near.

Henrietta loved her family dearly, and left to carry on that love and to cherish her memory forever: her children, Gladys Vaughn (William) of Floyd, Va, Yvonne Patterson (Otha) of Ferrum, VA. 10 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and 11 great-great-grandchildren; her siblings, Franklin E. Keys (Washington, DC) and Annie Mayhew (New York); special friends, Nora Wade, Zelma Ross, and Evelyn Tyree, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Henrietta was preceded in death by her husband, George R. Gibson; son, Leon D. Gibson; grandson, George Otha Patterson, Jr. the following siblings: Lethisha Lipscomb, Cassie Young, Earl Keys, Henry Keys, Edith M. James, George W. Keys, Christine Wiggins, Mary White, Helen Wiggins, Juanita Myers, and Cecil Keys.

A public viewing will be held on Friday, July 26 from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m. at Stanfield Mortuary Funeral Home- Rocky Mount. Family visitation will be 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on July 27 at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church and her celebration of life will be held at 12 PM on Saturday, July 27 at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church - Rocky Mount. Interment will be at the Gibson Family Cemetery and repast will follow at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church. Condolences may be sent to Stanfield Mortuary Funeral Home.