In theyear 1932, on the quaint settlement of Masons Bay, Acklins, paternal twins wereborn to Robert and Drucilla Gibson. OnDecember 12, 1932, after hours of labor, Drucilla gave birth to her 5th and 6 children which were her second set of twins out of 14children. These twin boys, were namedJohn Hubert and Heanon Robert. Johnarrived first followed by Heanon within a matter of minutes. They were christened at St. Matthew Church inMason’s Bay Acklins and their godparents were the late Lillian Bain and thelate Hilton Bain.
Education
Heanon loved playing the organ. He was trained by both of his parents. His father skillfully played the guitar andorgan and his mother was the organist at St Matthews Church in Mason’s BayAcklins. Heanon began his formaleducation at the Snug Corner All Age School, where he excelled in academic andpractical subjects. Upon completion of his formal education in Acklins, hemoved to Nassau where he completed his education at Eastern Senior High School.
Work Experience
At the age of thirteen Heanon worked in the agriculture industry. This was followed by his first job at Orchid Terrace on village road where he worked on premises which was owned by the Turtle Family who hired him as Caretaker of the property. Heanon worked there for a few years and was later employed by Black's Candy Kitchen which was located on Marlborough Street. As an advancement in his career, Heanon became the operations manager of Elite Recording Studio which was owned by his brother King Eric Gibson and maintained this position for many years. A few years later he was employed by Tropical Exterminating Company where he worked for a short time. He later started Elite Exterminating & Lawn Services which was his own company where he worked until his health failed him.
Courtship & Marriage
It was love at first sight whenHeanon saw and fell in love with a beautiful, charming young woman who wasriding her bicycle one evening heading home from work and after a briefcourtship of 4 months, on July 1st, 1960, Heanon was united in holymatrimony to Henrietta Edwina Bain of Pestell, Acklins. The couple took up residence in PyfromEdition for several years then built a home and moved to Sisal Road East which is located in Golden Gates#1.
FaithfulMember
Heanon loved the Lord and his church. He was a member of St. James Native Baptist Churchlocated on St. James Road where he served faithfully as the church organist. A few years later, Heanon joined The Lively Hope Baptist Church ministrywhich was formed under the leadership of the late ReverendGladstone Adderley. As one of thefounding members, Heanon toiled and labored for hours as he assisted in theconstruction and design of this church. Manynights his wife and children had a perfect view of the shining light from theirhome which was about eight hundred feet from this church as Heanon workedsometimes after mid night as he mixed the cement, carried the blocks, water orbuilding materials for the completion of this beautifuledifice where we are holding his homegoing service today.
Love of Music
Heanon was a dedicated anddevoted Christian. He loved and had apassion for church music all his life. Asa young boy he spent most of his time playing the organ. Overhis lifetime Heanon played the organ for St Matthews Church in Masons BayAcklins, St. James Baptist Church, on St. James Road, and then later played at TheNew Lively Hope Baptist Church for more than 50 years. Heanon also loved singing. As Operations Manager of Elite RecordingStudio, he taught and prepared the United Family Choir for their Stellar recordedgospel album. He also made sure that the Gibson Family formed a family Choirand Orchestra which are still performing today.
Heanon,The Man
Heanon was style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"inherit",serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"Courier New";color:#26282A'>a very loving and obedient child. His elder sister,the late Maud Ferguson loved him so much that she raised him as her own child until he was a teenager. Heanon grew up to be a very fine young man with an outstanding character.
Heanon loved the Lord and his Church. Music was the Joy of his life. His love formusic was so strong that he opened a music school where he taught and mentoredmany of the musicians that are now playing throughout the Bahamas andinternationally in churches today.
Heanon was named after his father Robert Heanon Gibson and was proud of his heritage. style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:Consolas;color:black;mso-themecolor:text1'>As the oldest surviving son of Robert and Drucilla Gibson, he was the Patriarch of the Gibson Family and proudly held this position until his death. Heanon Robert Gibson was a kind, honest and personable individual but as the Patriarch of the Gibson Family, he also knew when it was time to be firm and when it was time to speak up. He was a man of few words, wise, respectful and had a quiet spirit. Heanon loved his Gibson family very much and they loved him too. He was proud to be a Gibson and would often ask his nieces and nephews “Who are you?” and waited for the reply “I am a Gibson”. He was affectionately referred to as “Heanon” by his wife, “Daddy” by his children, “Papa” by his grandchildren, “Ole Hean and Buller Hean” by his sisters and brothers “Unca Heanon” by his nieces, nephews and “brother Gippie” by church members friends and acquaintances.
Heanon always had a speciallove for his wife Edwina, his children Mark Gibson and his wife Eleni, hisdaughter Patrice Armbrister, Marco Sr. and Markeira whom he raised and all ofhis grand and great grandchildren.
Heanon was also anexcellent cook and his signature recipe was the Acklins corn bread. Often, hewould call several of the nieces and nephews to collect a slice or pan of cornbread. His favorite dish was grits as itwas mandatory for him to have every day.
Farewell
Over the last few months Heanon expressed howhe loved, missed and was ready to go and reunite with his twin brother John HubertGibson who predeceased him on 18th June, 2011. During his time of illness Heanon also expressedhow he thanked God for his wife Edwina and his son Mark Gibson Sr. whofaithfully served and took care of him along with Lennise Samuels, his caregiver throughout his time of illness and up to the time of his death. On July29, 2022 at 4:30pm, Heanon quietly and peacefully slipped away and is nowresting in the arms of Jesus.
Heanon Robert Gibson’s memory will forever be cherishedby:
His loving and faithful wife of 62 years HenriettaEdwina Gibson.
Children: Mark Gibson (Eleni), Patrice Armbrister
Grand Daughters: Markeira,Markeisha, Markleanie & Markela Gibson and Miracle Armbrister
Grand Sons: Marco Sr., Mark Jr. Gibson, Vladimirand Kaizen Armbrister
Great GrandDaughter: Margo Gibson
Great Grand Sons: Marco Jr. & Mario Gibson, AlmariBarr, Jayden Johnson &Amare Curtis
Sisters - Rev. ThelceneSimms; Sheila Johnson & Velma Ferguson,
Brother - Arthel Gibson
Brothers-In-Law – Rev. Jonathan Simms and Leonard Johnson
Sisters-In-Law – Curlene and Bridgette Gibson
Godchildren: Brian Nixon, Denise Pratt and KenriaRussell,
Numerous Nieces and Nephews including:
Herbert & Gwen,Robert & Patricia, Clifford & Claudia, Vincent Jr. & Wendy, Sylvia,Drucilla, Edna, Eunice, Oscar & Walter Gibson, Rose & Lonnie Scott, Hillard& Rose, Ralph & Jasmine, Rudolph & Marsha, Timothy & Sophia,Anthony and Marion Walker, PastorRuthlee Saunders, Delworth & Zener, Albon & Sherrell, Jane and John Gibson Jr, Arlean Horton, Janet& Rev. Jerome Johnson, Michelle & Dwayne Swaby, Bishop Ghaly & Min. Angela Swann, Eric Jr & Lynn, Hon. D. Shane & Min.Jacqueline Gibson, Yvonne Gibson-Sands, Ann & Arturo Hutchinson, BishopTrevor & Min Sharon Williamson, Michael & Julie Hooper, Janine Gibson, Donald Smith & Dr. Theresa Adderley-Smith, Rev. Nicholas & Carolyn Hepburn, Brice & Asher Anderson, Kayla & CartonAllen, Patricia & Bertram Simms, Pastor Kenneth & Bernadette Adderley,Min. Carlton & Daphne Adderley, Beverly Bethel, Alson & MichelleFerguson, Jean, Kendal & Sindair,and Randy Johnson, Donald, Christopher & Elisa Michael & Felicia,Reginald, Lynn, and Melony Thurston, Glen & Vernell Nottage, Daniel & SandraMiller, Leah Mather, Atwell & Karen, Preston& Nijana, Donald & Ronnet and Shawn Ferguson, Cheryl & Michael,Donnell & Pastor Ivan Carey, Dario & Gina Rolle, Sharon Turnquest and Dr. IngridMobley, Solomon Williams, David & Daniel Bain, Charles & Shantionill, Reverend Eric (Keisha) and Rev Philip Readon,Hubert Jr, Steven & Lynn, Shirley, Terry, Monique, and Frank Gibson,Conville & Virginia, Conville Jr., Wilber & Kimberly, Deleveaux, EsselStruill, Dale & Lanita Strachan, Mabel Strachan, Patrick & AdlineRolle, Elton & Robert Ferguson, cousins: Rupert & Malcolm Cox, Ehud, Hanna, Alins,Hanna Dorothy Hanna, Orlando and Loraine Nottage, of Miami Florida, Washington& Marilyn LaFleur, Sharon Rolle, Bazel Beneby, Carl, Hugh, Nellie, Sharon& Sheryl Brennen, Naomi Hanna,Cannon Harry Ward, Thomas & Eddie’s Ferguson, Yvonne Armbrister, Olga &Joyce Taylor, Garnet and David,Ferguson, Minister Zelma Siplin, Betty, Ruthmae and Barbara Ferguson and Lillybell Braynen and a host of relatives and friendsincluding: Lenise Samuels Caregiver, Rev Dr Shelton A. Higgs, Minister Junior Robinson, Naomi Deveaux, Minister Paula Moncur, Elder Aileen Knowles,Evang. Minerva Musgrove & family, Ingrid Higgs, Rev. Lavardo Duncanson, Evang. Victoria Russell Flowers, Rev. Oswald & Betty Nixon &Family, Christine Gibson Neeley, Christopher Neeley & family, Kenneth Musgrove & family, Beatrice Ferguson & Family, Children andwife of the Late Ulysses Culmer Family, Chief Supt. Oswald Brian Nixon, Gardenia Evans, Children of the Late AllanButler, Children of Late Joseph Pratt & Garland Russell, Pastor JuanitaIngraham of Divine Worshippers, Brenda & Allan Evans and Family, HeatherEvans and Family, Sherise Evans and Family, Lorette Evans and Family, Ms.Mckenzie and Family, Mr Johnson and Family, Ms Althea Moss and Family, JillColebrook Lamm, Ian Mckinney, Descendant of Gold & George FergusonAcklins. Evelyn Gibson Neeley & The Gibson family Reunion descendant of SavannahSound Eleuthera, St Matthew Baptist Church Family & the entire Community ofMason Bay Acklins, Church family of Lively Hope Baptist Church and Dr. Eugene Grey and staff ofOxford Medical Center.
