Sibyl Elaine Gibbs Hiers entered into the gates of Heaven on August 1st, 2020. Sibyl was born on September 5th, 1927 to Robert Martin Gibbs and Sarah Jane Daniels in Broad Branch, Florida. Sibyl married John Philip Hiers in 1952 and had three children. Philip Martin Hiers, Deborah G. Hiers of Sneads, Florida and Angela J. Hiers of Wewahitchka, Florida.
Over the years, Sibyl “adopted” many girls who are known as, “Mother’s girls” but claims only one additional son, Gino Mayo. Sibyl had many talents. In her younger years she played the guitar and sang, she was talented, writing poetry with extraordinarily beautiful penmanship. Even in her last years she could recite poems and ballads that she memorized as a child. She was quick witted and could tell a joke better than most. Sibyl loved to dance and to spend time with family and friends. She was a precious and wonderful mother and doted on her children who she dearly loved.
Sibyl also loved to garden. According to her daughter Deborah, “Mother could plant a twig in the desert, and it would bloom”. In her later years Sibyl also enjoyed cooking, making the best oven fried chicken and gravy this side of heaven. Sibyl was a member of Sneads Pentecostal Holiness Church and enjoyed listening to gospel music and good preaching. She was a hard worker with strong work ethics and beliefs. Sibyl was a home maker for many years then began working with the state and retired from Dozier’s School for Boys. She counted her greatest accomplishments in this life as being a woman of God who loved the Lord, an overcomer of great trials and many hardships in this life and being a mother. She was an encourager. Everyone that met her loved her.
She left behind two daughters, Deborah Hiers of Sneads, Florida and Angela Hiers of Wewahitchka, Florida, a grandson, Philip Michael Adams of Tallahassee, Florida, a niece Betty Ann Gregory (Michael) of Perry, Florida, four nephews, Bill Jones and John Jones of Gainesville, Florida, Buddy Pruitt of Gainesville, Florida and Erwin Brown of Lake Butler, Florida. In addition, she left behind a number of great nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her children’s father, John Philip Hiers and her beloved son, Philip Martin Hiers, her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Martin Gibbs, her siblings, Willie Gibbs and Jay Gibbs, Linnie Brown, Earl Gibbs, Helen Fulford, Elsie Pruitt and Betty Jean Jones. She was also preceded in death by four precious nieces, Irene Hodges, Lynn Brown, Hazel Studstill and Lela Pruitt.
Deborah wants to especially thank Glenda Barwick (Dimples) for her devotion to “Mama” and her steadfast faith in God. Not only was she a hard worker she was always there when emergencies arose. When times were hard, she prayed. Her prayers brought us closer to God and left us with peace and comfort. We are very appreciative of the care that Mother received from Emma Long. Her kindness and compassionate care were unmatched. We also want to give a special thanks to Dr. Murali Krishna Maddipati whose expertise and compassion for mother was exceptional and will always be remembered. A very special thank you goes to Chaplin Gino Mayo. He was not only Sibyl’s Chaplin she adopted him as her son. For years he worked tirelessly to do all he could to bring comfort and peace to Sibyl and her family. He always had the right words at the right time. “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver”.
You are welcome to send flowers or donate to the Light House Children’s Home in Tallahassee, Florida in Sibyl’s memory. In lieu of food for the family please donate can goods and non-perishable food items to Chipola Ministries in Marianna, Florida in memory of Sibyl.
Celebration of Life Services will be held at Calvary Baptist Church on Wednesday, August 5, 2020 beginning at 11:00 AM Central Time. Interment will follow at Culley’s MeadowWood in Tallahassee, Florida. Visitation for friends and family will be held one hour prior to service. Due to services being in Gadsden County, all attendees will be required to wear a mask indoors, per the county’s ordinance. Please remember to bring your mask.
