Remembering Walter Gerald Gibbs

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Walter Gerald Gibbs

October 26, 1949 - May 16, 2023

A celebration of Walter’s life will be held on Saturday May 27, 2023 at 4:30pm at Colonial Funerals, 86 Circular Avenue, Hamden CT. Viewing in Colonial from 3:30 to 4:30pm. Condolences may be expressed at Colonialfunerals.com.

Walter Gerald Gibbs

1949- 2023

Walter Gerald Gibbs, a native of Charleston, South Carolina, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. He was born on October 26, 1949, to the late Rachel Cothran (Elder) and Joseph Gibbs. Walter spent his early life in Charleston, South Carolina, but relocated to New Haven, Connecticut, in 1953.

He attended New Haven Public Schools and graduated from James Hillhouse High School in 1967. He graduated from Quinnipiac University in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology.

Gerald, as he was affectionately known, was a skilled architect and draftsman. After working for many years at Edward E. Cherry Architect, P.C. firm in Hamden and G & O Architecture in New Haven, he worked for several companies including Terminex, from where he retired in 2016.

Walter was a very dedicated family man. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, MaryAnne Gibbs (Rice). Gerald leaves to cherish his memory three children: Tanya Gibbs-Scott (Mark), and Walter Gibbs II (Caroline Apgar, fiancé) of New Haven, CT., and Helen L. Barnes of Timberlake, NC. Stepsons: Rev. Dr. Anthony J. Davis (Jacqueline) of Salisbury, NC, Raymond Rice of New Haven, CT, and Johnny Rice (Christina) of Waterbury, CT. Also left to cherish his memory are eleven grandchildren, a host of great-grandchildren; his beloved siblings, Barbara Gibbs-Hodge of Atlanta, GA, Kevin Cothran (Antoinette) of Charlotte, NC and Keith Cothran (Anna) of New Haven, CT; a multitude of cousins–Earlene, Willie, Michael (Angela), Joseph, Angela Elder, Craig (Elnora) and Arthur Hines, to name a few; sister-in-law: Dorothy Payne-Rice, Tamika Johnson; as well as a myriad of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Gerald is also pre-deceased by his first wife and dear friend, Wanda Y. Gibbs.

We find comfort in the word of God expressed in : Psalm 91:1-2 that says, Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”