On December 9, 1949, the tiny island of Mayaguana, known for its fertile soil gave root to one of its finest sons as Livingstone Rubin Gibson was born to the late Brandless Gibson and the late Lillian Charlton-Gibson. Stone as he was affectionately called was the third of ten children. From the very moment of his birth Stone was a joy to be around and was loved by everyone he came into contact with. He was regarded by many as hospitable, energetic, engaging, and enthusiastic, so much so that he was considered the life of any party. He began his early education at Abraham s Bay All Age School in Mayaguana. Realizing the importance of education, Stone quickly grasped major concepts taught and excelled among the top in his class. His perseverance and commitment to his school work resulted in the school s principal recommending his appointment as monitor which lasted for a period of six years. His initial encounter to biblical lessons prepared him well for this role.
Stone was considered a stern disciplinarian who garnered the respect of all including his brothers and sisters. Stone had a disposition that commanded authority, when he spoke people listened for fear that failure to comply would meet his reprimand. It was during this time that he decided to pursue a part-time career with the Local Government Administrator in Mayaguana. Exposure to the office environment gave Stone an appreciation for service and the community. It was during this period that he realized that a career in Law Enforcement would give him a greater presence in the community and provide him with an opportunity to keep the people he loved so dearly safe. Stone was employed as a Constable from 1969 1970. Although his stint was short, Stone made his presence felt throughout the community. Stone loved knowledge; he woke each day with the anticipation of discovering new concepts waiting to be grasped and new ideas waiting to be stumbled upon. This thirst for knowledge did not fit the normality of his time.
Education was the foundation of the ideals Stone stood for. He was not content to simply learn but felt compelled to teach. Stone considered teaching his mission so he enrolled in the Bahamas Teacher s College, San Salvador where he obtained a Teacher s Certificate and would later go on to obtain a Bachelor s Degree in Education from the College of St. Benedict and St. John s Minnesota. Stone esteemed knowledge above all other worldly pursuits and he encouraged his students and later his children to make the most of their education while creating their diverse paths to success. Stone s passion for education provided him the opportunity to share his expertise and knowledge on Family Island Settlements such as Rolleville, Exuma; Abraham s Bay, Mayaguana; Deep Creek, Andros and Grand Cay, Abaco. In 1974 Stone took on his greatest role that of family man as he was joined in holy matrimony with Ms. Esther Stubbs who predeceased him in June 2005. This union produced six children. Ultimately settling in Nassau, he held many leadership roles during his tenure in education including Senior Master, Vice Principal and Principal for over 20 years. He would ultimately be known for kindness and compassion for his students, and was most noted for transforming lives of children with behavioral issues and encouraging parents to become stakeholders in the field of education. In 2008 Stone retired from formal teaching but always remained an advocate for education.
In fact his zeal and passion for the growth and development of education persisted which motivated him to serve as a member on the School Board at Columbus Primary from 2003 to the time of his recent illness. Driven by an entrepreneurial spirit, he opened Stone s Take Away on East Street where he hosted many family and friends to down home cooking and warm hospitality. Outside of his professional life, he had many varied interests, namely: travel, cuisine, music (especially rake and scrape), playing dominoes and reading. Stone, on many occasions emerged the winner during domino tournaments held at his restaurant. Stone s exuberance was such a constant in the lives of so many that the thought of his infirmity seemed astounding and such was the case when he suffered a stroke that would later claim his life. Stone fought a good fight but ultimately death is the one battle that will make no victors of man. On November 12, 2014, Livingstone Rubin Gibson exhaled his last breath in time and crossed over to eternity. During regular visits to the hospital at the time of his illness, he would constantly encourage family members to do their best and live well with one another; proving what they also knew that the man they ironically called Stone was a solid rock, which anchored his family.
He leaves behind a legacy of knowledge and determination and unlike the footprint-free beaches of his beloved Mayaguana, his footprints shall forever be engraved on the hearts of all he loved. He will live on in the memories and stories that will be passed on for generations to come! Stone will be sadly missed and happily remembered by his: Daughters: Portia, Telcine and Lindsay Gibson; Sons: Alden, Javano, Livingstone Jr, Shawn, Kieron and Keshon Gibson; Sisters: Lillian Carey and Vernice Gibson (former Principal Abraham s Bay High School Mayaguana); Sisters-In-Law: Franceta, Annie, Geneva Gibson, Iris Mackey, Virginia Brennen, Salomie, Priscilla and Roselda Stubbs, Alice Darville, Olga and Joycelyn Stubbs; Brothers: Curtis and Charles Gibson; Brothers-In-Law: Hessley and Dr. Ezekiel Stubbs, Edmund Mackey, Anthony Darville and Samuel Brennen; Daughter-In-Law: Indra Gibson; Son-In-Law: Anthony Collard; Grandchildren: Brianna, Arianna, Shanette, Shakina, Shornette, Rayshawn, and Deshawn Gibson, Zaylin, and Fritz Sejour; Aunts: Emaline Moss and Flora Virgil of Miami, Florida;
Godchildren: Carolee Mckinney and Junior Moss; Neices: Vanessa Pinder-Fox (Alex), Janelle Cambridge-Johnson (Michael), Shakera Carey-Gardiner (Brawley), Natasha Ferguson, Nakia, Queena, Quetta, and Shantina, Carnetta, Shonelle, Stacy, and Monique Gibson, Agatha Munroe, Hyacinth and Cleola Mackey, Sonia Smith, Janelle Brennen, Chrislyn and Zekia Stubbs, Cheryl Williamson, Patricia, Stacy and Monique Stubbs; Nephews: Cilis Watkins (Nicole), Detective Constable 1967 Kenwood (Detective Constable 2901 Melissa Carey) and Julian Rashad Carey, Laron, Kelvon (Shantia), Darren, Anthony, Rashard, Andrew, and Detective Corporal 2804 Donavon Gibson (Lakita), Carlos, Anthony, Craig, Sheldon, Kendrick and Ian Stubbs, Fred Williamson, Adrian and Julian Mackey, Jamaal Stubbs and Antone Darville; A host of relatives including: Idamae Farrington, Clayton Farrington, Olga, Jenin, Granville, Ruddy; Irvin, Ina, and Rollington Charlton; Altamese Simms, Rufus and Jenny Anderson, Lurella and Pemmy Burrows, Voil Collie, Tyrone Murphy, Garnet Gray (Inagua), Franceta Stuart, Ceneta McKinney, Clifford & Edith, Alfred, Milton, and Samuel McKinney (Acting Magistrate), Superintendent Telinda Missick, Nursing Officer 1 Persephone Munnings, Ruby Ingraham, Chyrlee Tensy Oliver, Denise Evans, Victor Brown and Family, Charles King (Island Administrator Eleuthera), The Hon. V. Alfred Gray, M.P.; Manerva McPhee and Family; Doreen, Luden and Elseto Gibson & Family; Inez Gibson And Family;
Roselyn Charlton, Lionel Charlton and Family, Reginald Charlton, Mack Charlton; A host of friends including: Charles and Queenie Barrey, Prince Adderley, Mr. Sands, Kevin Edgecombe, Stafford Armbrister, Kenton Sands, Pastor Ellison Greenslade & Family, Pastor Howard Williamson & Family, Samuel Carey and Family, Alvin & Belva Collie, Jackie Roberts & Family, Genva Brown, Tony Rolle, Kathlene, Wellington Missick & Family, Aulson Smith & Family, Elvin Brooks & Family, Jonathon Cambridge, William Pinder, Winston Beneby, Philip Pickstock, Joy Tucker, Anthony Sands, Mrs. Roberts (Principal l - Columbus Primary School), Ruby Rolle & Family, Nora McIntosh & Family, Cassie McPhee & Family, Evone Jean, Kellyka Jean, Zephanica Newbold, Hubert Mortimer of Miami, Florida; Nancy & Betty McPhee of Miami, Florida; Myrtis Russell of Treasure Cay, Abaco; Rosevelt Curry and Ed Cooper of Grand Cay, Abaco; Jack Thompson (Chief Administrator - Cabinet Office), The entire community of Tarpum Bay, Eleuthera and South Andros; The Stubbs Family, The Murphy Family; The entire communities of Abrahams, Bay Mayaguana; Grand Cay; Rolleville, Exuma; Columbus Primary School Family; Pinewood Gardens; Staff of Mortimer s Candy Kitchen; the Staff of Fresh Auto and the Staff of Princess Margaret Hospital; James Forbes, Zephaniah Newbold (Island Administrator, Mayaguana); and Charles Ferguson.
