Mattie Gibson

Mattie D. Gibson, age 88, of Montville and formerly of East Orange, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 12, 2019.

Born in Sprott, Alabama, the eighth of Robert and Susie Carlisle’s thirteen children, Mattie grew up there until she was twelve years old. Her father had always made his living as a farmer but when Mattie’s eldest sister moved to New Jersey, she encouraged her parents and the rest of the family to join her, believing there were greater economic opportunities there. So, at age twelve, Mattie became a Jersey girl and settled in Newark. While living there, she graduated from Westside High School.

After high school, Mattie went to work in a local factory. She married Calvin Gibson when she was 25 years old. They eventually settled in East Orange and started their family. Mattie always kept busy, caring for and loving her two daughters and one son – Lauren, Karen and Calvin. When she went back to work, she established a nice career as an accounting clerk with Chubb Insurance Company where she enjoyed the camaraderie and respect of her coworkers. Even after she retired, the company asked her to come in part-time, so for the next ten years, Mattie worked for one month per quarter.

As a teenager, Mattie loved to go roller skating. She also loved to spend time with her sisters. Mattie had a beautiful voice which she used for her own enjoyment and to entertain. Before marriage, she joined a traveling choir singing mostly hymns and gospel music and, with her beautiful mezzo soprano voice, she also sang some opera.

In later years, especially after retiring, Mattie found the time to do some traveling. Some of her favorite trips included a Mediterranean cruise with her sisters Jerelean “Jere” and Lillie, a trip to France and England with her good friend Jackie, group trips with her sister Seannie, a trip to Barbados with Lauren and son-in-law Alfred, and two special trips to Las Vegas one with her son Calvin and the other with her sisters Jere, Lillie and Katie. When asked what made her happy she would say “my children and being with my family.”

A longtime member of the New Hope Baptist Church in East Orange, Mattie continued to faithfully attend and be blest by the church’s ministry. But when it became too much to drive to East Orange, she would join her daughter Karen and son-in-law Paul at Trinity Baptist Church in Montville when her health allowed. Trying her best to live by Jesus’ example, she was always giving of her time, talents and treasure to be a blessing to others by participating in such activities as volunteering at New Hope and doing whatever she could to support the work of an organization called Community Access Unlimited which ministers to people with developmental disabilities.

Mattie adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and loved to give them gifts always displaying a sixth sense for knowing what gifts they would truly love. Throughout their lives, she remained very close with her brothers and sisters and extended family, giving freely of herself always welcoming them into her home.

Mattie was a real lady – always very neat and meticulous about her appearance. She was a poised yet modest and descent woman who established many lasting friendships over the years. When she made a friend, that friend was a friend for life as Mattie always made it a point to get together or give a call to see how they were doing.  

Mattie was the very loving mother of: Lauren Gibson-Carter and husband Alfred of Bloomfield, CT, Karen Ciambruschini and husband Paul of Montville, and Calvin J. Gibson of Summit; cherished grandmother of Jamal and wife Victoria, Shana, Carl, Steven and wife Natalie, Jennifer, Paul, and Nick and wife Rebecca; adored great-grandmother of Nadia, Dominique, Tristan, Gabrielle, Joshua, Olivia, William, Isaiah, Angelina, Bobby, Todd, and Matthew; dear sister of: Jerelean Sibdial Sau of Plainfield, Lillie Studwood of Bronx, NY, and John Carlisle and wife Iva of Orange. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, cousins and lots of good friends. Mattie was predeceased by nine siblings.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Mattie’s name are asked to consider Community Access Unlimited, 80 West Grand Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07202. Please make check payable to Community Access Unlimited and add “Donation in Memory of Mattie Gibson” on the memo line. You can also donate online through PayPal by clicking DONATE.