Mrs. Glenna Elizabeth Gibson

In Loving Memory Of Glenna Elizabeth Blanding Gibson was born on January 31, 1932 in Detroit, Michigan to the union of Rayford Blanding and Estelle Evans Blanding. She was the first born of three offspring. Glenna gave her life to Christ at an early age and her family attended Brea Methodist Church (renamed to Brea St. Paul Methodist Church) in Highland Park, Michigan where she was raised. Here, she served in the Brea Youth Group and on the usher board. She attended Willard Grade School and Highland Park High School where she took up the sport archery. In 1954, Glenna graduated with her Licensed Practical Nursing degree from St. Joseph’s Hospital in Mount Clemens, Michigan. She practiced nursing at Highland Park Hospital in the pediatric unit where she created lifelong friendships with Janet Barnes and Betty Jones. Glenna met James Henry Gibson at Lafayette Clinic in Detroit, Michigan and they were married on October 10, 1964. She was proud to become a bonus mother to Anthony Quinn Gibson. In 1976, Glenna was awarded a certificate for her service as a school volunteer in the Metropolitan Detroit Public Schools system. Eventually, she went to work as a nurse for her brother-in-law, Dr. George W. Gibson, at his OB/GYN practice in Detroit, Michigan. In Albion, she worked at Albion Health Care Alliance. As the wife of a pastor, Glenna was the church pianist while serving in the Women’s Missionary Society (WMS), and Young People and Children’s Division (YPD). Glenna also volunteered to host events for WMS and the Ministers’ Wives Club at Tanner A.M.E. Church in Windson, Ontario, Visitor’s Chapel in Detroit, Michigan, St. Paul A.M.E. Church in Port Huron, Michigan, and Lewis Chapel A.M.E. in Albion, Michigan. Additionally, she donated her time to various other organizations, including Girl Scouts of the USA. After her husband’s retirement, they moved to Southfield, Michigan. Upon his passing, Glenna joined Oak Grove A.M.E. Church in Detroit, Michigan where she served in the WMS, Stewardess, and Ministers’ Wives Club, and taught Sunday School in the Children’s Church. In 2021, Glenna moved to Maryland where she spent her golden years at the Atrium Village Senior Living Community where she developed special friendships with Margaret Brown and established other meaningful relationships. Glenna passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 3, 2024 at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. She leaves to cherish her memory, one son, Anthony Gibson (Sabrina); two daughters, Vanessa Gibson and Alison Jenkins (Cyril); one granddaughter, Charnice Tate (fiancée Emmanuel Sintim); one great-granddaughter, Jurnee Sintim; one sister, Joan Grayson (Randy); and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, other family members, and friends. Her brother, Dr. Richard Blanding and grandson, Cyril Brian Jenkins, III both preceded her in death. Glenna will be remembered as a blessing in all of our lives.

Mrs. Glenna Elizabeth Gibson

January 31, 1932 - September 3, 2024