Maggie Gibson
Maggie Lee Gibson, a devoted mother and community leader, departed this life on Dec. 15, 2020.
She was born March 11, 1942 in Belzoni, Miss. to the late Rev. Orange and Lonzella Hooker.
She moved to Portland in 1961 in search of better opportunities for her family.
Family members described her as a “Very traditional and a classy woman. The glue that held her family together. Humble, spiritual, gentle and peaceful. A kind-hearted angel, beautiful soul and a true servant of the Lord.”
Mrs. Gibson received her GED from Portland Community College in the mid 1970s. She worked at St. Vincent De Paul Daycare Center, St. Andrews School as a teacher’s aide, and as an imaging technician at Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield for 32 years, retiring after never missing a day of work in 2006.
A community activist, she volunteered to serve many causes, including her neighborhood watch program, Franciscan social services, and Habitat for Humanity.
In 1999, she was named to the Distinguished International Academy of Nobel Achievement, nominated by the Oregon Chapter Epsilon Sigma Alpha, a worldwide philanthropic sorority. In 2000, the Maggie Gibson Plaza, an affordable housing complex and retail space at Northeast 17th and Alberta, was named in her honor. The same year she received a community service award from the Portland Observer bestowed in memory of Joyce Washington, the newspaper’s late publisher.
She was preceded in death by her loving parents; husband Lesty Gibson; sons Larry Gibson and Carl Gibson Sr., brother Lawrence Hooker, sister Lonzella (Cherry) Hooker, and sister-in-laws Minnie and Pocket Browder.
She leaves to cherish her loving memory, daughter Tamra Gibson; sisters Evalena Hooker, Virginia Hooker and Martha Brown; brothers Cornelius Hooker, Orange Hooker Jr. and Gary Hooker; and brother-in-laws Bill Gibson and McKinley Gibson.
Survivors also include nine grandchildren, Jameka Gibson, Lesty Gibson, Carl Gibson Jr., Antonio Rivers-Gibson, Lashawn Larry, Antonio Richard Jr., Aiyana Calicott, LaKeisha Kennendy, Donnell Kennedy; 11 great-grandchildren, Amiyah, Rakyah, My’Kel, Tashiana, Ty’Heir, Successfull, Dejah, Sade’, Antonio III (Tre’), and Tah’jai, Lesty Jr.; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.