Leon H. Gibbs

January 2, 1947 - January 22, 2021

Leon H. Gibbs was born on January 2, 1947 to the late Leo Gibbs and Ruby Mae Fulcher Gibbs in Oriental, NC. He was the second of six children and was educated in the Pamilco County School System. After graduating high school, he joined the United States Navy and was stationed at the U.S. Naval Air Station in Norfolk, VA. After his honorable discharge, he relocated to New Haven, CT and continued his education at South Central Community College. He reunited with cousins and made life-long friends. Leon was employed at Winchester Firearms and later Stop & Shop Companies where he retired after 30 years of service. He was a member of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Union for 50 years. Having a great work ethic, he would go on to work for the Ikea-New Haven where he traveled and trained employees in Orlando, FL. He worked at Yale New Haven Hospital’s St. Raphael campus until his passing, where he made an impact on everyone he met with his infectious smile and personality. Leon was very active and played softball on a local softball team and coached a local women’s softball team. Leon, along with coworkers and friends founded the Ebony Bulls Social Club where he coordinated several events, planned trips to major sporting events, vacations, and gave back to the community by sponsoring little league sports teams. He was an avid sports fan of the LA Dodgers and the Washington (Redskins) Football Team. He was the go-to person for all stats baseball, football, basketball, and golf related. One of Leon’s natural talents was singing. He sang in the key of high tenor with the Southern Wings, the New England Male Chorus, (also known as the Pitts Chapel Male Chorus), and the Pitts Chapel Choir #2. He would also sing at other churches and special events around New Haven and in the tri-state area. His favorite gospel group was the Canton Spirituals. He also loved music by Al Green, Luther Vandross, and Lionel Richie. The one thing Leon did best was love his family. He was very active in his children’s education, sporting events, and dance recitals/competitions. He truly enjoyed road trips up and down the east coast to visit his family and traveling on Caribbean cruises. He loved planting flowers, manicuring is lawn, and watching his favorite soap operas. Leon also loved making his famous barbeque sauce, his Friday night fish fries, or just sitting on his back deck enjoying the fruits of his labor. Leon leaves to cherish his memories, loving wife of 34 years, Alberta Rose Gibbs, 4 children whom he adored; Vickie Sanders (Xtavier) of Laurel, MD, William Gibbs (Stephanie) of Raleigh, NC, Krista Gibbs and Leon Gibbs Jr. of New Haven, CT; 5 grandchildren, Jeffrey Wilson and Marnae Green of Laurel, MD; Christian Gibbs, Michael Gibbs, and Justin Gibbs of Raleigh, NC., and 6 great grandchildren; 2 sisters, Carolyn Jarvis (Leon) of Boston, MA and Jacqueline Matthews (Ossie) of Raleigh, NC; 3 brothers, Venice Ray Gibbs of Raleigh, NC, Darrell Gibbs (Betty), and Randy Gibbs of Oriental, NC; 2 special sisters, Lillian Burley Guion and Marsha Fulcher of NC; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and coworkers. He was predeceased by his parents, Leo and Ruby Fulcher Gibbs, and his mother-in-law, Sarah B. Williams. Leon’s love, infectious smile, and personality will be missed immensely, but never forgotten.