Bishop Samuel Edward Gibbs, Sr.

Bishop Samuel Edward Gibbs Sr. went home to be with the Lord on September 26, 2023. He was born September 1,1937 in Cordesville SC, to Allan Gibbs Sr. and Louisa Gadsden Gibbs. 

Bishop Samuel Edward Gibbs Sr. received his education through the Berkeley County School system. He continued his education at the Master of Theology School (Waycross, GA). Bishop Gibbs was called into ministry in 1969 and had his first pastoral appointment at Thomas Temple First Born Church of the Living God (Cordesville, SC). Bishop Gibbs pastored several churches including: Bryant Chapel (St. Stephen, SC), White Chapel (St. Stephen, SC), New Zion (Sumter, SC), Mitten Lane Holiness Church (Moncks Corner, SC) and Jehovah Holiness Church (Shulerville, SC). In 1997, the Lord called Bishop Gibbs to build a church in Cordesville, SC, The International House of Prayer and Deliverance Church, where he has pastored alongside his wife for the last 25+ years.

Bishop Samuel Edward Gibbs Sr. was joined in Holy Matrimony to Anna Bell Brown on March 24, 1959. To this union they had six children, 18 grandchildren, and 27 great-grandchildren. 

Bishop Gibbs loved his family with all his being. He leaves to cherish his memories: his wife, Elder Anna Bell Brown Gibbs; children, Debra Diane Gibbs, Samuel Edward “Junie” Gibbs Jr., Leroy Alexander Gibbs, Micheal Lee Gibbs Sr. (Dianna), Vincent Steven Gibbs, and Anna Marie Gibbs; foster children, Kadijah Singleton and Camie “Vet” Gilliard; sisters-in-law, Overseer Herlene Wright and Alfae Brown; brother-in-law; Clarence Brown Jr. (Lisa); nephew who he grew up with as a brother, Melvin (Natherlee) Gibbs; his grandchildren, great-grandchildren; honorary children, Cordelia “Dee” Cobb, Dr. Gaynell Walters, Henry Grantham, the three V’s, Mildred “Von”, Berta and Deloris “Lo”; nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, the church family, International House of Prayer and the Cordesville community.

Bishop Gibbs was preceded in death by: his parents, Allan Gibbs Sr. and Louisa Gadsden Gibbs; his siblings, Evelyna Gibbs-Davis, Bertha Gibbs-Goodwine, Alma Gibbs, Olah Gibbs-Alston, William Gibbs Sr., Allan Gibbs Jr., and James Gibbs.

The Legacy of Bishop Samuel E. Gibbs

Bishop Gibbs lived by the philosophy of first being led by God, ensuring his family's care, and positive community involvement. He was called and chosen by God into ministry to spread the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. After spending almost six decades serving God in ministry, he led hundreds if not thousands of people to Jesus Christ so that they may be saved.

He loved his wife, Anna-Bell Brown-Gibbs, for 65 years and showed it every day in the way he treated her. He prided himself on ensuring that all of her needs were met. He never left her or the children behind, as his job would take him throughout the U.S. He brought them along as well.

Bishop Gibbs was an avid reader and loved learning. His view on education was “Get all you can, and can all you get”. Bishop Gibbs continued his education at the Master’s of Theology seminary school. He took what he learned from formal schooling and shared it with his family and the community. He also enjoyed construction work or anything working with his hands. He was what some would call a Jack of All Trades, a Master of None. He was skilled in several trades. All four of his sons followed in his footsteps, working in construction and different trades. He ensured that his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren understood the importance of education and would always pursue it. His positive influence pushed all six of his children to graduate from high school and several of his grandchildren to graduate from college with honors.

He taught by being an example:

• Living a Godly life while serving in the office of Bishop as I Timothy Chapter 3 declared.

• Being a loving husband to his wife as Ephesians 5: 25 declared.

• Being a Good father to his children by providing for them, loving them, teaching them, and holding them accountable. Also leaving an inheritance for his children’s children as Proverbs 13: 22 declared.

• He had a saying that his mother shared with him saying to him, “Ed once you have children you will be raising children all your life”. He did just that by helping to raise his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

• He was compassionate to all that crossed his path and gave them an encouraging word.

• He believed that if you set your mind to something YOU can accomplish it. He would give his grandsons tasks or work to do and ask them “You think you can handle that bubba'' If one replied " I can’t do it Grandadda.” He would say “Can’t is dead bubba and ee buried over Dey!”

• He believed in keeping the family name good in the community by conducting himself in a respectable fashion. One of his sayings to his grandchildren was, “It's not about your first name, it’s about your last name.  Keep it a good name.”

In Conclusion, Bishop Samuel Edward Gibbs leaves a legacy of hard work, dedication to family, and servitude to God.

Service Information

A Home Going Celebration Service will be held Sunday, October 1, 2023, 12:00 p.m., at International House of Prayer of Deliverance Church, 231 Allan Park Lane, Moncks Corner, SC. Interment will be in Westview Cemetery, 1010 Cooper Store Road, Moncks Corner, SC. Viewing will be held Saturday, September 30, 2023, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., at the funeral home. 

The service will be live streamed on the Church's Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/IHOPOD