Carolyn R. Gibson

Carolyn B. Gibson's Obituary
Sun Rise June 8, 1947 Sun Set July 8, 2011
Early Years: Carolyn Boyd Harris was born on June 8, 1947 in Tallahassee Florida to Mabel Boyd and Leroy Powell. Carolyn's mother Mabel Boyd married John Harris in Tallahassee Florida. In Searching for work, John Harris moved his family to Cincinnati Ohio except Carolyn remained in Florida living with her great grandmother until she passed away. At 8, Carolyn reunited with her family in Cincinnati Ohio where she attended Sands Elementary school.
Carolyn dedicated her life to Christ at an early age. She was an active member of the New Prospect Baptist Church where she was baptized as a child. She remained an active New Prospect Baptist Church member until her employment caused her to move from Cincinnati to Indianapolis Indiana and then to Kansas City Missouri.

Education: Carolyn graduated from Taft High School in 1965 with honors and rated #9 in a class of 350 students. She had a driving desire to go to college, and fought to fulfill that dream. In 1965, Carolyn was admitted at Benedict College in Columbia South Carolina majoring in cell biology. During the 4 years at Benedict College, she not only spent her summers out of school working to raise funds for her college expenses but also received a summer scholarship to attend Harvard University in Cambridge Massachusetts. Another summer she worked at Argonne Laboratory in Chicago Illinois. In July 1967 Carolyn went to Harvard for the Harvard-Yale-Columbia Intensive Summer Science Studies program sponsored by the Carnegie and Ford Foundations. In the years 1969 - 1971 Carolyn attended the University of Cincinnati where she received her Master's Degree – graduating Magna Cum Laude.

Later Years: In 1971 Carolyn was married to Reggie Gibson. The wedding took place at the New Hope Baptist church (New Prospect was being remodeled). Rev. T. L. Lane performed the ceremony.
From 1971 to 1975 Carolyn was employed at Meharry Medical College as a work/study lab technician.
In 1975 Carolyn was employed at Merrell Dow Chemicals. Merrell Dow changed its name and locations several times. Most recently Merrell Dow became Quintiles. Eventually due to her illness, Carolyn retired from Quintiles after serving for 34 years. In 2010 she moved back to her mother's home in Cincinnati Ohio where she was not only cared for by family until the Lord saw fit to bring her home, she also rejoined New Prospect Baptist Church where she found spiritual comfort. Carolyn Gibson died in Christ on July 8, 2011 at Drake Hospice in Cincinnati Ohio.

Family: Carolyn B. Gibson was preceded in death by her father Leroy Powell, her great grandmother Rachael Edwards, her grandmother Catherine Boyd and her sister Greta Harris. She leaves to celebrate her life a loving mother Mabel Harris, her step-father Johnnie Harris, one sister Sandra (Wilson) Chabvepi of New Mexico; four Brothers Johnnie Harris Jr., of Florida, Melvin Harris, Kenneth Harris both of Cincinnati, Dylan Harris of Dallas, Two children Crystal Gibson of Kansas City and Jamie Woodson of Hawaii, her favorite aunt Gladys Harris of Florida and a host of other aunts, special friend Brenda Barbee of Kansas City; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Interment: Carolyn B. Gibson rests in peace!