SHANE GIBSON COMMENTS

Uncle Bob & Shane, Troy

Nannie, Papaw, Troy + Shane

Jerry pushing boys downhill

Christmas at Nannie's & Papaw's

Shane watching T V

I am Shannon “Shane” Lynn Gibson. The Grandson of Eugene Henderson Gibson and Edith Inez Hooper Gibson (Pawpaw and Nanny) of Dyersburg, Tennessee. My Father is Jerry Lynn Gibson and Mother is Rebecca Ann Gibson. I have one brother Michael Troy Gibson (Whom I named Troy before he was born).
I live in Mendenhall, Mississippi with my Wife Shelley Rene Gibson and our two children Ella Rene Gibson 11 years old and Carter Lynn Gibson 1 year old.
My father Jerry Lynn Gibson retired from the Air Force as a Chief Master Sergeant after about 37 years (I believe). My mother retired as a School Teacher from Pearl Upper Elementary.
Growing up we lived in Pearl, Mississippi until I was about 7ish. We moved to the Country outside of Brandon, toward Puckett. I road back and forth to Pearl School with my mother and brother until I started High School. I left Pearl School and attended Puckett High School where I meet my Wife.
One of the earliest memories I have of Pawpaw (Eugene) is riding the tractor (John Deere, Pawpaw believed in John Deere – anything else would not do) with him while he plowed the fields. I also rode the combine as Pawpaw and his brother John Austin Gibson would cut the field. Then ride with them to take the grain to the mill. I cannot tell you how exciting it was, to be around those big tractors and trucks at that young age. I will never forget it. With that said, Tennessee is where my Dad taught me to drive and how to work with a tractor! A skill I still use (but not quite as good as my Dad and Pawpaw did). “A” for effort though.
Pawpaw and Nanny had a shed out behind the house where Pawpaw kept most of the tractors and a grain truck. My brother and I played in the dirt in that shed with “Matchbox cars” on our knees until they were sore. The shed was open on the front, tin covered and closed in, and drooped down in the back to let the water run off. It had a mixed smelled of dirt, oil, and diesel fuel. It was GREAT!!!!!! Every once in a while I will be in my shed by my tractor or some where at someone’s house and smell the same smell. It always brings back memories of those days.
If we were not in the shed playing, Pawpaw would crank the lawn mower (Which of course was a John Deere) and we would take turns driving it around the yard. Pawpaw also built us two rope swings in the tree out back and my brother and I would swing until we were sick.
Nanny was always kind and soft spoken, a God fearing woman, and my best friend as a child and young man. She was an example to me of how grownups should treat children and how children should respect their elders. There is no possible way to explain how much of an impact she has had on my life. (I must say that I had great examples of Christian living from both my Father and Mother’s sides of the family).
At night I always slept with Nanny and she would sing and rub my arm until I went to sleep. We would listen to Country Music or talk radio and laugh at the people that called in (one talk radio show was about Vampire Bats attacking cows – you should have heard the folks calling in, it was crazy). We would go the Church of God in Dyersburg with Pawpaw and Nanny on Sunday. I remember praying at night before bed in their big house.
Christmas was a big time. My brother and I always got too much, but we did not mind! Uncle Bob and Aunt Sandra would come from Atlanta, GA and we would all be together. I remember listening to them all talk about when they were growing up and a story about Pawpaw using a Crowbar to open a refrigerator, with some bit of needed force! Stories about trouble that my daddy got into and daddy worrying about Aunt Sandra as they grew up.
Normally, at Christmas in Dyersburg, it snowed (Something we hardly ever see here in Mississippi). We would slide down the hill in front of the house on a piece of tin with Uncle Bob, until we were all frozen. Go thaw out and do it again.
My Dad and Aunt Sandra, act and speak in the same manner my Grandparents did. Aunt Sandra reminds me very much of my Nanny every time I am around her. My Dad has the patients of Job. He and my mother are family oriented and always doing something for or with my brother and I. There is no doubt that my children will benefit from those childhood days and the family we have.

EASTER

Sandra and Joan Johnson [my first high heels]

When Easter rolled around, it was pretty much the same every year. We all went to town and bought new outfits...including shoes and the works. Most of the ladies and little girls wore hats for the big day at church.

We usually had a bunch of extra people who only came to church on Easter and Christmas. The Saturday before Easter, the ladies of the church lead by Mother and Mayflower would spend hours "dyeing eggs" . The eggs we had were all hard-boiled hen eggs. There was always a big Easter Egg Hunt across the street from the church on the Cotton Mill yard. The men of the church, always lead by John Austin, would hide dozens and dozens of eggs for us to hunt. There was always a grand prize...a huge Easter basket filled with goodies and toys. This basket would sit on the piano up front all during the service, so the kids could dream of getting it. Since there were no "plastic" eggs, several people would just write their name on an egg and if you found it you would go to that person and collect your prize. It might be candy, money, etc.

After church was over and the last Amen was said, the kids would all be marched across the street to await the beginning of the Big Easter Egg Hunt. The little ones went first followed by the progressing ages. It was all very orderly and everyone had a good time.

I never found the grand prize egg, but would find a few of the ones that had someones' name on them to get a little gift.

In the afternoon, we would usually go over to Aunt Gee's for "dinner" and the eggs would be hidden again for all of us to hunt. The eggs were hidden so many times that by the end of the afternoon, the shells were all so broken that you could hardly tell what their original color had been . I never ate any of them. Maybe this is why?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Nannie and her boys,Troy and Shane Nannie and Caleb

Nannie and Ellie

Today I am remembering my Mother.

This is her birthday. I remember her dignity, beauty and self-respect. She was always a lady, a Christian Lady. She always dressed as if she were going to have company, and she loved company. She was so proud of her family. When my brother, Jerry, married Beckie, she became Mother's daughter. My husband Bob, became her son. She loved them so much, she even laughed at Bob's jokes.

When the grands came, well, there were never two prettier, better babies than Shannon and Troy. She only regretted that she could not live closer to them so that she could see them more often and spoil them.Then came her long awaited granddaughters, Shelley and Natalie. None of us could do any wrong in her sight. She bragged on all of us to everyone of her friends.

When Ellie was born, I never saw a happier Great-grandmother. Caleb was such a doll, she just loved them both.

She would be so happy to know Noah. I'm sure she would be able to play games with him.

It would thrill her to no end to have two of her greats, Carter and Sarah Ann to share her birthday month.

I will never feel her soft hands caress my cheeks again and hear her say"you're so pretty".

She was my cheerleader and my best friend.

I know she is looking down at us today and feels the same love for all of us that she always had.

Happy Birthday, Mother

SCHOOLS

Sammy Copeland, Jerry Gibson, Jerald Hamm, Lamarr Gibson

Dyersburg High School--the covered walk to the gymnasium

Jennie Bell School

I attended Jennie Bell Elementary from first grade to third. My teachers were Miss Etheline Dickerson, first grade, Mrs. Miller, second grade, Mrs. Boals, third grade, Miss Lessie Mae, fourth grade. My fifth grade teacher was Miss Maggie Lou Sudbury. She had been my brother Jerry's teacher, as had other teachers. Miss Sudbury was so anxious to have me in her room, she adored Jerry and my Mother. Mother was always a "room Mother" which meant she did things for the kids, such as bring cupcakes and cookies for special party times. I always loved school because all my friends were there. We started each day with Bible reading and the Lord's prayer. Then we would have the pledge of allegiance to the Flag. I don't think that is done these days...it isn't politically correct anymore.

When I started fourth grade there was a new addition to the Jennie Bell School that went all the way through eighth grade. We got to change classes in Seventh grade, with four different teachers. They were Mr. Riddick, who loved to paddle you for the slightest offence, Mrs. Camp, Mrs. Aiken, and Mrs. Permenter, who was just a hoot. I went with the eighth grade to Cookeville for an FTA conference . I was such a "HOT SHOT" because my brother went there to Tennessee Tech University.

Dyersburg High School was a very big deal. It was the only high school in town, until my senior year. That year the black school was closed down and all their students were sent to DHS. The reason was that we were each sent a freedom of school selection that summer and each race selected their own schools. We had a very friendly transition.

I had no idea until I graduated that I had such a good education. I learned to read and spell, unlike some of my later acquaintances from other states. I am very thankful to have been in the school system where the teachers loved their students and gave them knowledge.

When I was in DHS, Lamarr who was a couple of years ahead of me, was a big football hero. We had football games on Friday nights. It meant big doings in Dyersburg. One thing about Tennessee, they love their football whether high school or college.

A COMMENT FROM BUDDY

I remember this Church well, it's where I first learned to sing "This Little Light of Mine" and many other children's songs. One of the things that sticks out in my mind besides the revivals was Christmas at the church. Pam and I would go with Grandmamma and Granddaddy, John and Mayflower.As a kid of 5,6 or 7 years old I was sure that Santa knew Jesus because Jesus would always tell him that Pam and I were going to be there. When presents were passed out after the message; the floor under the tree was covered with presents for all the kids, there was always something for us. How else would Santa know if Jesus didn't tell him?

Buddy Gibson

REVIVAL

The Dyersburg Church of God


Having just gone through revival at our church, this brings back lots of memories of the Dyersburg Church of God. Our lives were so tied into the church. We went to church every time there was anything going on there. We spent much of our social lives with the people who went to the church. Revivals were always a big deal. There would be an evangelist from some other city who would come to preach every night for a week or two, unless the Spirit moved and then it could last several weeks. We didn't stay home because of homework or miss a night because of school activities. We just went every night and stayed til the end which could be very late. There was no discussion about going; it was just what we did. [The saying today would be "It is what it is"]. We enjoyed the fellowship with our friends and we also enjoyed the preaching and singing and the move of God's Spirit. The revivals of today are so different. Our church has the evangelist preach on Sunday AM and PM and Wednesday night only.


The Dyersburg Church of God was one time filled with Gibson's. With the passing of MayFlower, there are no more Gibson's attending that church. Actually, I am the only Gibson left attending a Church of God anywhere. [After me there will be no more.]


I have it on good authority that Noveleen was quite a singer and played piano when she was attending the Dyersburg COG. I think all the Gibson boys sat at the back left hand side when they attended. Mayflower sat on the 3rd row front right and Mother, Inez sat 3rd row left. There were no assigned seats, people just got in the habit of sitting in the same place over the years. The young people had lots of activities. I remember going to the mid-South fair one year. I had never been on a roller coaster. Lamarr told me he would ride the Pipin with me. He said if we sat in the front car that it would be less frightening. I wound up down in the floor screaming my head off. I never believed anything else that Lamarr told me!!!!!!!


Growing up in the church was a wonderful experience that I am so thankful for.

CHRISTMAS-THE EARLY YEARS

Christmas was always a very large deal in the Gibson family. Mother and Daddy always went all out for Christmas. Mother would buy gifts all year, and Daddy would wait til closer to the big day. The major problem was that Daddy could not wait to give his gifts so we, my brother Jerry and I, would get them early. Once Daddy had bought us a bedroom suit each and it was delivered way before Christmas. Then there was the time we got watches. At dinner one evening, our plates were turned upside down with a watch underneath each plate. We had relatives who spent Christmas with us, Mamma Hooper, Aunt Ju-Ju, and Uncle Walter. I would have to share my bed with someone and I would not sleep much because of all the excitement. Mother would always have a big breakfast for us and the relatives which always included Aunt Gee and Uncle R. C.
Our tree always came from one of the fence rows along Daddy's fields. He would keep an eye out all year for just the right Cedar tree and drag it home just in time for Christmas. My brother, Jerry, Buba for this writing, would have to decorate it just perfectly. He would not let me help very much, my being so little and inexperienced in decorating. We had icicles made from real tinsel that he would put on each branch one at a time. I would be in a hurry and throw a bunch on at one time. Then Buba would have to do it all over again to correct my mistakes.
I think we always had blue lights on the tree or at least that is how I remember it. We had this white and red star on the top, I wonder what ever became of that star? I still have the nativity scene that Mother had with the barn and wise men. Mother always had this M&M tree. It was really just a little clear plastic tree that she put M&M's on all during Christmas. They just magically filled back up after we ate some. We would spray snow on the windows and put stick on pictures. Santa always filled our boxes[no stockings] with nuts and fruit and chocolate. Once we got these plastic shoes filled with money to buy shoes from the Family Shoe Store in town. Sometimes they would be Buster Brown shoes. I believe Buba got mostly guns and cowboy stuff and of course, I got dolls and their accessories. I still have some of my dolls that Santa brought me. There are some I wish I still had such as my Bonnie Braids whose braids could be pulled to make them longer. I do have my walking doll for whom Aunt Gee made clothes to match my own and we always dressed alike. I was in the hospital once in third grade and my brother brought me a doll when he came to visit. [ I still have that doll.]
Mother and Aunt Gee used to make boiled custard and jam cake for Christmas. They would cook for days. My, how I would love to taste that again.
I could not remember Christmas as a child without writing about the Church of God that we attended. There was always "big doings" at the church, a huge tree that either Daddy or John cut from their field. That tree was sooo tall it filled up one whole corner of the front of the church. John Austin, Sunday School superintendent, was in his Glory at Christmas time. He enjoyed it more than anyone. The Sunday before Christmas, he would hand out little brown paper bags full of hard candy, an apple and an orange to everyone as they left church. Most people do not know that my Daddy, even though he did not attend, financed a lot of the Christmas cheer at the church. We would have a program the Sunday evening before Christmas. It consisted of little kids saying poems and about a 3 act play. We all vied for the "welcome" poem. You got to go first and get it over with, otherwise you had the wait-and-get-nervous spot. John Austin was always in the play. Rehearsals were disasters, but somehow the plays themselves went off without a hitch. Every Sunday School class drew names for exchanging gifts and that was the big deal at the end of the night. It was all very exciting when I was a kid.
Daddy would drive us around to the rich side of town to look at the Christmas lights on Christmas Eve. We still do that today.