Joyace Donsereaux Gibson

Celebrating the Life of

Joyace Donsereaux

Gibson

July 9, 19¤ – October 9, 2014

A Tribute to

Joyace Donsereaux Gibson “Momma Lou”

Joyace Donsereaux Gibson

was born on July 9th to Lawrence Albert

Donsereaux and Emma Dyer in Napoleonville, LA. She attended Reed High School, but later obtained her GED through Jefferson Parish Adult Education. Joyace worked as a Chef in New Orleans for twenty five years prior to obtaining an Associate’s Degree in Cosmetology through Mohler Beauty School. She owned and operated Joyace’s House of Hair for 17 years before retiring due to health issues. Her clientele loved their “hair day,” in which they usually received a wonderful meal while sharing good conversation and lots of laughter.

Joyace had an entrepreneurial spirit and was always seeking business adventures, through the years.

In addition to her beauty salon, she owned and operated a catering service; she held classes on nutritional support for the youth of the neighborhood, purchased land and established “Momma Lou’s” Snowball Stand.

She accepted the Lord as her personal savior on April 4, 1957 and was baptized soon after at Bright Morning Star B.C., in Napoleonville, LA by the late Rev. Shedrick Dorsey.

She began her Christian journey at Virginia B.C. in Ewellville, LA with the late Rev. F.E. Southall, before moving to New Orleans, where she became a faithful member of Pilgrim Progress B.C., pastored by the late Rev. John Francis. Upon acquiring her home in Avondale, LA she joined Second St. John B.C. under the leadership of the late Rev. Isaac Smith, Sr. and currently pastored by Rev. Charlie Davis, where over the years she participated in the Adult Choir, Youth Drill Team, Pastor’s Aide, Beautification and Extraordinary Women Ministries. During her Christian journey she briefly moved her membership to New Home FGM under the leadership of Pastor Leroy Phoenix. Joyace loved the Lord and the people of God; she did all that she could for anyone who needed help. She was a Missionary in her own rite. She visited the sick, fed the hungry and often clothed persons in need. She was always looking for “a cause.”

Joyace Donsereaux Gibson July 9,

19¤ – October 9,

2014

Her Story continued…

Over Fifty five (55) years ago on April 11, 1959, she was joined in Holy Matrimony to Mr. Charles Gibson. Five children were born from this union. But,” Momma Lou” as she was affectionately called, raised countless children. Her home was often the neighborhood hangout, and her car often transported children, not just her own, to movies and skating on Saturdays and church on Sundays.

Joyace was a “Trailblazer” and was honored as such by local government in 1998. She was concerned for her community and city. She served in various community initiatives and was instrumental in acquiring the public Park system in Kennedy Heights, the Fire Station in Washington Place, the Red Light at Hwy 90 and Capital Drive, and the Community Center on Hwy 90.

On Thursday, October 9, 2014, she transitioned from a life of labor to eternal rest. She was preceded in death by her parents, one (1) brother, George Romalis Donsereaux; her sister, Lorraine “Tina” Donsereaux ; one (1) grandson, Christian Matthew and four brothers-in-law, Lloyd, Mickey, Jimmy and Tommy; four sisters-in-law, Carolyn, Rebecca, Mary Jane and Hattie and one nephew, Jimmy.

She leaves to rejoice in her memories, her husband of over 55 years, Charles Gibson; one brother, Bendix Dyer and one adopted sister, Lorraine Singleton; four (4) sons, Charles Albert (Mary), George Romalis (Diana), Wayne (Lisa) and Dwayne (Guadalupe); one daughter, Joyace Carolyn (Lawrence) Ussin; Five (5) granddaughters, Lace, Rontell Nicole, Judith (Derek), Alaina and T’keyah; Eleven (11) grandsons, Lawrence (Ashley), Warren, Charles, Jr, Dwayne, Jr, Jonathon, Daniel, Gerid, Stephen, Quenton, David and Travis; Seven (7) great-grandchildren, Amari, Chrishaud, Saniya, Talia, Derek, Kherington and Lawrence, Jr.; brothers-in-law, Earl (Phildetta), Calvin, Eddie and Isaac (Rosemary); sisters-in-law, Dorothy and Rose; devoted friends and cousins, Audrella Upshaw, Thelma Hawkins, Audrey McGuire, Gladies Green, Genevieve Andrews, Angella Keys, Justina Gordon and Lenna Bea Brown, to name a few; a devoted niece, Cheryl Gibson and a host of other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked came against me to eat up my flesh, my enemies and foes, they stumbled and fell. Though an army may encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war may rise against me, in this I will be confident.

Psalms 27:1-3

Joyace Donsereaux Gibson July 9,

19¤ – October 9,

2014

A Celebration in Song Honoring the Life of

Joyace Donsereaux Gibson “Momma Lou” Second St. John M. B. C .

242 Avondale Garden Road * Avondale, LA 70094 Friday, October 17, 2014 * 7:30 pm – 9:30 p.m.

Opening Prayer ……………………..……………..……………………..………………………………. Pastor Nelson Dexter Temple of Praise Mistress of Services …………………………………..……………………………………………….……... Sis. Betty Jackson Praise & Worship …………………………………………………….……………………………………. NHFGM Praise Team New Home FGM - Westbank Selection ………..……………………………………………….…………………………………. Second St. John Mass Choir Solo ………………………………………………………………………..………………………………….. Minister T. C. Hawkins Second Highway BC - Marrero Selection ……….…………………………………………………………………………………… Second St. John Mass Choir Solo ……………………………………………………………………………………………….…………… Minister Donald Smith New Home FGM - Westbank Liturgical Dance ……………..……..………………………………………….…………………………………….. T.O.P. Dancers Temple of Praise- Marrero, LA

Solo ………………………………………………………………………………..... Minister Henry Smith Remarks ………………………………………………………………………… Min. Joyace G. Ussin Closing Prayer ………………………………………........................... Pastor Charlie R. Davis Second St. John B. C.

Joyace Donsereaux Gibson July 9,

19¤ – October 9,

2014

Celebration of Life Second St. John M. B. C .

242 Avondale Garden Road * Avondale, LA 70094 Pastor Charlie R. Davis, Officiating

Saturday, October 18, 2014 * 10:30 a.m.

Order of Service

Processional ……………………................................................................................................... Ministers & Family Selection ……………………………….………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Mass Choir Mistress of Ceremony ……………………………………………………………………………………………… Prophetess Toni Carter Scripture Readings: Old Testament: Psalms 27 New Testament: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Congregational Hymn ………….................................................................................................... Amazing Grace Prayer…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Selection …………………………………………………………………..………………………………………………………………. Mass Choir Reading Of Obituary ……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Sis. Betty Jackson Condolences …………………………………………………… General Church ……………………………… Bro. Carroll Thompson Resolutions ………………………………………………………………………………………..............................................................

Solo …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Minister Cornell Williams Tributes: As a friend…………………………………………………… Sis. Audrella Upshaw As a mother…………………………………………………………. Joyace G. Ussin As a great-grandmother……………………………………… Amari Knighten As a grandmother………………………………………………. Judith A. Powell “Well Done” ………….…………………………………… Liturgical Dance ………………………………………….. Alaina M. Ussin Acknowledgement of Visiting Pastors and Ministers Solo ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. Sis. Albertha Gullage The Eulogy ………………………............................................................................................. Pastor Charlie R. Davis Solo …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Minister Sam Lovely Closing Medley …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. Mass Choir The Parting Viewing …………………………………………………………………………….. Little John Funeral Home In Charge Benediction Recessional

Virginia Baptist Church 145 Virginia St. * Belle Rose, LA 70341 Pastor Lloyd Jones, Officiating

Saturday, October 18, 2014 * 2:30 p.m.

Processional …………………………………..................................................................................... Ministers & Family Song of Praise …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Mass Choir Prayer ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Song…………………………………………………………. “Thank You, Sir” ………………………………………….... Joseph Solomon Words of Comfort ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Pastor Lloyd Jones The Parting Viewing …………………………………………………………………………….. Little John Funeral Home In Charge Benediction Recessional to Cemetery

Joyace Donsereaux Gibson July 9,

19¤ – October 9,

2014

Momma Lou…

Joyace Donsereaux Gibson July 9,

19¤ – October 9,

2014

Precious Memories

Joyace Donsereaux Gibson July 9,

19¤ – October 9,

2014

A Mother’s Love –Helen Steiner Rice

A Mother’s love is something that no one can explain, It is made of deep devotion and of sacrifice and pain, It is endless and unselfish and enduring come what may For nothing can destroy it or take that love away . . .

It is patient and forgiving when all others are forsaking, And it never fails or falters even though the heart is breaking . . .

It believes beyond believing when the world around condemns, And it glows with all the beauty of the rarest, brightest gems . . .

It is far beyond defining, it defies all explanation, And it still remains a secret like the mysteries of creation . . .

A many splendoured miracle man cannot understand And another wondrous evidence of God’s tender guiding hand.

Your Children, Grandchildren & Great Grandchildren

Joyace Donsereaux Gibson July 9,

19¤ – October 9,

2014

“My Sweet Momma Lou”

By Joyace G Ussin

Fifty five years ago I meet a sweet lil thing Made her my bride in early Spring….

Our love brought many joys And through it we conceived four boys We rejoiced with the world when God gave us a girl We did not always have plenty but we made due Meat, potatoes, beans and some stew Never felt hunger, never felt rain on our head Never slept apart, always shared our bed Shared our ups and downs Sometimes acted like clowns But in sickness and health for richer or poor The closeness we shared increased even more Now I am shaking my head, don’t know what to do Missing you horribly my sweet Momma Lou But I lift up my eyes to the hills for help And my hope is strong even with the hand dealt For I know the same Savior who swept you away Will come to escort me in some day And just like I sang to you every chance I will whisper sweet songs in your ear while we dance Eternity is ours as we stand in His presence Until then I will just reflect on the essence…

Of my sweet Momma Lou. I will always love you……..

Joyace Donsereaux Gibson July 9,

19¤ – October 9,

2014

Precious Memories

Joyace Donsereaux Gibson July 9,

19¤ – October 9,

2014

Miss Me But Let Me Go When I come to the end of the road And the sun has set for me I want no rites in a gloom-filled room.

Why cry for a soul set free?

Miss me a little but not too long And not with your head bowed low.

Remember the love that we once shared, Miss me but let me go.

For this is a journey that we all must take And each must go alone.

It’s all apart of the Master’s plan, A step on the road to home.

When you are lonely and sick of heart Go to the friends we know And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds.

Miss Me But Let Me Go!

Joyace Donsereaux Gibson July 9,

19¤ – October 9,

2014

Active Pallbearers Lawrence C. Ussin, Sr. Charles A. Gibson, Jr. Gerid Gibson

Warren Gibson Dwayne Gibson, Jr. Jonathon L. Gibson

Honorary Pallbearers Bendix Dyer George Gibson Lawrence Ussin, Jr.

Charles A. Gibson, Sr. Wayne Gibson Dwayne Gibson, Sr.

SPECIAL THANKS To the Medical Staff and Nurses at University Hospital, Justina Gordon, Mary Thompson, Laverne Debose, Bernadine Adams, Gladies Green and Little John Funeral Home and Staff.

Acknowledgements The family of Joyace Donsereaux Gibson wishes to say that your expressions of kindness, prayers, flowers, comforting thoughts and visits shall always be cherished and appreciated in more ways than words could ever express.

May God shower his blessings on each of you.

Sincerely, The Family

Arrangements Littlejohn Funeral Home 2163 Aubry Street New Orleans, LA 70119

Internment Virginia Baptist Church Cemetery Ewellville, LA

Repast Second St. John Activity Center / Avondale, LA Virginia Baptist Church Fellowship Hall / Ewellville

Designed by “Our Celebrations of Life� (504) 453-2186 or (504) 338-8753 * ourcelebrationsoflife@gmail.com