Helen Lucille Gibson

Helen Lucille Gibson was born on June 10, 1946 in Sumter, South Carolina to the late Fortune and Essie Cooper. She departed this life at her home on Saturday, January 23, 2021 after a lengthy illness.

Helen graduated in 1964 from Eastern Senior High School, where she was voted “Most Athletic” for her track and basketball skills. Shortly afterward, she relocated to Washington, DC, where she resided with her sister, Maureen LeSane. The District was her home for over 55 years. Here, Helen experienced and accomplished many key life events and goals. She continued her education, met, and married her devoted, husband, Leroy Gibson, and raised a family. She attended OIC Technical School in 1973, where she met her “best friend,” Minnie Wiggins-Carter. In 1974 Helen began her 32-year career at the DC Superior Court and helped many families. She was a long-time, faithful member of Peace Baptist Church and served on two Ministries–the Pastors Aid and the Missionary. Helen had a passion for flower-gardening, shopping, walking for exercise, supporting family members, and cooking her “Sunday” dinners.

Helen is preceded in death by her daughter, Melissa Gibson.

“Queen Helen Gibson” is lovingly remembered by her devoted husband, Leroy Gibson; two daughters Victoria Peters (Kevin), and Danny Gibson; three grandchildren, Jessica Billet (Adam), Chance Coleman, and Zoe M. Peay; two great-grandchildren; Eva Coleman, Ari Billet. She will be fondly remembered and is loved by her remaining siblings– Amy Moses (Abraham), Maureen LeSane (Sammy), Lorine Wilson (June), Lyda Cooper, Curtis Cooper, Ethelyn Henry, and Colin Cooper, PhD, and will reunite and greet her de- ceased siblings-Fortune Cooper, Jr. (Francis) Lula Waddell (Herbert), Mack Lee Cooper (Ann), Eva Rouse, James Cooper, and Jacqueline Cooper-Byrd. Special nieces and nephews–Thomasine, EarlI, Donavan, Synatta and Malcolm, an incredibly special caretaker/niece Joann Skeen, and a host of other nieces, nephews, and other relatives.