Ernest Earl Gibson

Dr. Ernest Earl Gibson was born of Bahamian parents in Dania, Florida on August 16,1928. After his parents' deaths at an early age, he was adopted by his cousins Reginald and Evelyn Robinson, who raised, loved and nurtured him for the rest of their lives. He spent his early years between Florida and New Jersey where his parents traveled as seasonal workers.

To provide quality, stability and continuity to his education, his parents sent him to high school at the historic Bordentown School, a military boarding school in Bordentown, New Jersey. Operated as a public co-ed boarding school for Negro children, it was known as the "Tuskegee of the North" for its adoption of many educational practices first developed at the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. Ernie credits his time at Bordentown with defining his life goals and helping him see opportunities that initially did not seem attainable.

He was a veteran of the United States Army, serving during the Korean Conflict years. He then attended and graduated from Tuskegee Institute (now University) with a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management and Institutional Food Service. At Tuskegee he was initiated into the Gamma Phi Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He met and married the love of his life Carolyn Jean Boddie, and they had two daughters Stephanie Yvonne and Dorothy Trefon (Dotti). Their extraordinary marriage was one of supreme devotion and a true loving partnership.

Ernie was Director of Food Services and the Student Union at Arkansas AM&N College (now University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff). Even today, former students who knew him will attest to the help given to them by Ernie. He made sure the young students, many lacking in adequate financial support, had jobs when needed, and he and Carolyn temporarily housed and fed many students.

In early 1963, Ernie accepted the challenge of entrepreneurship at the AG Gaston Motel and Restaurant in Birmingham, Alabama, one of many 'Green Book' locations across the South that provided Black people safe dining and lodging during segregation. Together Ernie and Carolyn totally renovated, operated and managed what in 1963 became the headquarters and center of activity for one of the most significant chapters in U.S. history - the Birmingham civil rights
crusade, led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Ernie and his family had the profound honor and pleasure of knowing and interacting on almost a daily basis with Dr. King, Rev. Andrew Young, Rev. Wyatt Tee Walker, Rev. Ralph Abernathy, and other civil rights leaders, in their fight to desegregate public facilities in Birmingham, and for equal rights for Black people. The motel hosted leaders and celebrities from all over the world. Ernie participated in strategy meetings for marches, including the March on Washington, and many other civil rights activities.

Unfortunately, while this period became a turning point in the civil rights movement, it was not the best time to operate the motel. Ernie and Carolyn were regularly surveilled, followed, and sometimes detained by the police. The motel was bombed, causing extensive damage, but fortunately no deaths. The entire Gibson family was present at the motel on Sunday morning, September 15, 1963 when their friends' beautiful and divine daughter was one of the Four Little Girls killed by a bomb at the 16th Street Baptist Church, less than a block from the motel.

Out of concern for family safety, the Gibson family moved to Joliet, Illinois in 1964, where Ernie became Director of Food and Campus Services for the Joliet Township High Schools and Junior College. He was instrumental in inviting and hosting Dr. King in June, 1965 for a visit and rally in Joliet.

In 1966, he became one of the original administrators (and the first Black administrator) at the newly formed College of DuPage (COD) in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, where he worked for the next 30 years. In an effort to create a racially diverse faculty, Ernie was asked to travel to historically Black colleges and universities to recruit Black college professors. His efforts were successful and he was instrumental in increasing the number of minority faculty members at COD. During this time, he also furthered his own education by earning both Master's and Doctorate degrees from Northern Illinois University. He retired from COD as Executive Director of Auxiliary and Business Services, and adjunct professor.

During the late Sixties and early Seventies, people of color moved in larger numbers to the western suburbs of Chicago, and there were few organizations that served the social, cultural, political interests and needs of these new residents. During his time in Glen Ellyn, Ernie, Carolyn and three other couples petitioned the AME Church to form the first AME church in DuPage County. They became founding members of the DuPage AME Church in Wheaton, Illinois.

Ernie was also involved in the establishment and chartering of the Mu Mu Lambda Graduate Chapter of his beloved Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. in DuPage County in 1976, and he served as its first president. Ernie was a Life Member (#399) and remained active in the fraternity until recent years.

Ernie was also president of the local NAACP chapter in DuPage County. With the NAACP, he headed the fundraising efforts in the western suburbs to support the election of Chicago Mayor Harold Washington. He was also appointed by the governor to serve on the committee to make Dr King's birthday a federal holiday.
The impact of his years in DuPage County is still remembered and honored today. On January 19 this year he was recognized and honored by the DuPage NAACP and the People's Community Church of Glen Ellyn during King Day events.

In 1996, Ernie and Carolyn retired to Olympia Fields, Illinois. They did not have a typical retirement as they continued their involvement in community and civic affairs. Ernie was active in Olympia Fields governance where Carolyn served as an elected village trustee. He served as vice-president and then president of the Enhancement Organization of Olympia Fields. He was president of the Wysteria Homeowners Association for 24 years, and was instrumental in Wysteria becoming one of the most beautiful places to live in Olympia Fields. The entrance area and park at Wysteria was dedicated in Ernie and Carolyn's honor in 2020, and is now called 'Gibson Place'. The awards and recognitions Ernie received throughout his life are too numerous to list.

Ernie was the ultimate girl dad - outnumbered, patient, protective and completely devoted. He raised strong, loving daughters by example more than instruction. He never once acted like loving his daughters was anything but the greatest honor of his life. He considered himself blessed to live long enough to know and love four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He and Carolyn took their grandchildren on trips to Hawaii, Italy and Mexico. They were the consummate grandparents.

Ernie had a strong Christian faith. Christened, confirmed, and accepting Christ as an Episcopalian, at various times he was a member of the Episcopal church, the Baptist church and the AME church. Over 30 years ago he joined Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, under the pastorship of Rev. Jeremiah Wright, where he was a faithful and loyal member.

After retirement Ernie loved the adventure of travel. He and Carolyn traveled extensively, usually with Carolyn's brother Richard and his wife Lenae. They traveled to Europe, Asia, Africa, Canada, the Caribbean, and Mexico.

Ernie and Carolyn both attended Michigan State University for Master's studies. Stephanie, Dorothy and granddaughter Mariah are graduates of Big Ten schools. Their ten-member immediate family called themselves 'the Big Ten'. When granddaughter Carolyn married and the family became 11, her husband was known as 'Penn State'. The Big Ten treasured their annual family trips to The Bahamas, Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, Lake Tahoe, New Orleans, and for the
past 21 years, Martha's Vineyard.

His final years were not spent as he had hoped, but nonetheless they were good years. In 2019 he lost his darling Carolyn, who was the apple of his eye until the very end. After her death, wherever he lived there was a large, poster-sized portrait of Carolyn, always illuminated with a light. No one dared turn off the light.
In 2022, he moved to Maryland with Dotti and her family, and his years were filled with nostalgia, relaxation, family time, love, excitement and pride in all of his kids' accomplishments. The family was together for the last time at Thanksgiving. Ernie loved nothing more than having his kids all together. He had a wonderful time laughing, eating, watching football, and playing with the littles.

Ernie had a curious mind and was an avid reader. He always had daily newspaper delivery, which he read intently. He continued to have an understanding and interest in what was happening in the world, and he would eagerly speak on those matters.

Ernie was a great raconteur and storyteller, and did he have interesting stories to tell! He lived through some of the most tumultuous periods of history. He told of his experiences in obtaining the right to vote - from having to pay poll taxes in Arkansas, to marching in Birmingham, to freely exercising his right as recently as the 2024 elections. He shared stories about humble beginnings, and picking asparagus with his parents in New Jersey. His stories usually resonated
with life lessons, especially about the value and importance of education and civic responsibility. His experiences in life molded him into a helper of people.

Ernie was the quintessential gentleman, always polite, engaging and complimentary. He had a special knack for making people feel special, confident and seen. He loved and respected women, and they loved him back! He was compassionate in his relationships with others, and he touched many lives with his wisdom and experience.

He defied many odds and overcame many health issues. He had the gift of long life, and he used his 97 years to do good, seek justice and help his people. He was a fulfilled soul, looking forward to everlasting life. Some of Carolyn's remains, as well as son-in-law Wiley's, are on Martha's Vineyard, and Ernie's will soon join theirs.

Ernie was preceded in death by those who welcome him to eternal rest: his parents Japhus and Evelyn Gibson, and Reginald and Evelyn Robinson; sister Evelyn Gibson; brother and sister-in-law Cyril and Elizabeth Gibson; nephew Frankie Gibson; brother and sister-in-law Richard and Lenae Boddie; son-in-law Wiley Austin Branton, Jr., and his beloved wife Carolyn Jean Boddie Gibson.

He leaves to live with wonderful memories of him: his adoring daughters Stephanie Gibson Branton and Dorothy Gibson Capers (Steven); the six lights of his life, his grandchildren Carolyn Branton Smith (Courtney), Wiley Austin Branton III, Mariah Cathryn Matthews, Mackenzie Marie Capers, and great-granddaughters Sloan Anita Smith and Celeste Vonn Smith; nieces Wyndolyn Boddie Jackson (Roy) and Debbie Gibson, nephew Richard Lamont Boddie; and his bonus children, the Markowitz-Buckley family (Katrinka, John and Kalia).

Special acknowledgement and love to his devoted caregivers Godwin Afaraumi, Jacqueline Jackson, and Vickie Burton and her crew.

Also mourning his passing, but rejoicing in his life are a community of people whose lives he touched in very special ways.

Ernie's remains joined Carolyn's and are interred at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Illinois.