[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 76 (Monday, June 3, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E768]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                  IN HONOR OF ELIZABETH JORDAN GIBSON

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, June 3, 2013

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I 
rise today to pay tribute to an outstanding educator and truly one of a 
kind woman, Mrs. Elizabeth Viola Jordan Gibson. Sadly, Mrs. Gibson 
passed away on Monday, May 27, 2013. A funeral service will be held on 
Monday, June 3, 2013 at 12:00 p.m. at the First African Baptist Church 
in Columbus, Georgia.
  The oldest of five children born to Alonza T. Jordan, Sr. and Olive 
Scott Jordan, Mrs. Gibson was born and reared in Petersburg, Virginia. 
She graduated with honors from Peabody High School and earned a 
Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Virginia State College. She 
earned a Master of Science degree in English Education from Tuskegee 
Institute. She also studied at Georgia State University and American 
University.
  Mrs. Gibson came to live in Columbus, Georgia when she accompanied 
her husband, Elwood T. Gibson, Sr., on his military assignment to Fort 
Benning during World War II. She joined First African Baptist Church 
and for the next 60 years plus, she served the church faithfully in 
many capacities, including the Rebekah Missionary Circle, Deaconesses 
Ministry, and the Music Ministry. In addition to showcasing her lovely 
voice as a soloist in the Senior and Smithsonian choirs, she served as 
a director and pianist for the Youth Choir. Due to her devoted 
leadership and service, the women of First African selected her to 
chair the Women's Day Program in 1972, and in 2000, the Women's Day 
Program was dedicated to her. Mrs. Gibson and her husband co-chaired 
the church's anniversary in 1993.
  Mrs. Gibson began her teaching career while still in Virginia and 
when she moved to Columbus, she taught briefly at South Girard High 
School in Phenix City, Alabama. Shortly thereafter, she was employed to 
teach at the historic William Henry Spencer High School in Columbus 
before joining her husband on a three-year tour in Germany. Extensive 
travel in Germany, Italy and Austria provided experiences which 
enhanced her teaching skills upon her return to the Muscogee County 
School System. In 1968, Mrs. Gibson was one of two black teachers 
selected to be transferred to Jordan High School when schools in 
Muscogee County were desegregated. Well respected at Jordan High, she 
was the faculty sponsor of the Frank David Chapter of the National 
Honor Society for 14 years until her retirement in 1991, after 42 years 
as an educator.
  Mrs. Gibson was not only an English teacher, she was also a dedicated 
mentor who taught her students to be of service to others. And she 
herself epitomized a life of service. She was a Golden Soror and Life 
Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. In 1979, she was 
elected Soror of the Year by the Gamma Tau Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa 
Alpha and was honored for her 20 years as chairman of the Senior 
Citizens Luncheon at which time the chapter changed the event's name to 
the ``Elizabeth Gibson Senior Citizens Luncheon.'' She was a Platinum 
member of the Links, Incorporated, as well as a member of the Columbus 
Community Center Board of Directors; Muscogee Retired Educators 
Association; West Central Georgia Chapter of American Red Cross Board 
of Directors; and the American Cancer Society Board of Directors. She 
was also a charter member of the local chapter of Jack and Jill of 
America, Inc. and the Mr. and Mrs. Club; a member of the Pleasure 
Seekers Club; was named in the Model Club's first list of ``The 
Columbus Ten Best Dressed Black Women'' and was among the club's first 
``Hall of Fame'' inductees. Fondly called ``Gip'' by her friends, she 
was known as a shopper extraordinaire.
  Mrs. Gibson was preceded in death by her beloved husband of sixty 
years, Elwood T. Gibson, Sr.; her sister, Mildred J. Campbell; and her 
brother, Alonza ``Buzzy'' Jordan, II. She is survived by her children; 
Olive, Elwood, Andre and Alan; her brothers, Benjamin Jordan and Samuel 
Jordan; her nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; and many 
other family members and friends.
  George Washington Carver once said, ``No individual has any right to 
come into the world and go out of it without leaving behind distinct 
and legitimate reasons for having passed through it.'' We are all so 
blessed that Mrs. Elizabeth Viola Jordan Gibson passed this way and 
during her life's journey did so much for so many for so long. Her 
smile, her affectionate mentorship, her beautiful singing voice, and 
her warm, shining presence will be greatly missed.
  Mr. Speaker, my wife Vivian and I, along with the more than 700,000 
people of the Second Congressional District salute Mrs. Gibson for her 
outstanding achievements, service, and public distinction. I ask my 
colleagues in the House of Representatives to join us in extending our 
deepest condolences to Mrs. Gibson's family, friends and the Columbus, 
Georgia community during this difficult time. We pray that they will be 
consoled and comforted by an abiding faith and the Holy Spirit in the 
days, weeks and months ahead.

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