Carolyn Ruth Gibert

Carolyn Ruth Gibert, was the second oldest of eight children, born to the late Lindberg and Bernadine Gibert on April 2, 1956 in Evanston, IL. She was christened at Bethel AME church and had early Christian influences as a young girl attending church with her maternal grandmother, Sally McBride. In addition to her parents, she was pre-deceased by her parental grandparents John Austin Gibert and Hattie Jones, maternal grandparents Mr. & Mrs. Clifton (Sally McBride) McBride, and her younger brother Lindberg “little Lin” Gibert. Carolyn was five years old when she lost her brother, “little Lin,” to sickle cell anemia, a condition they shared which made their bond inseparable and left a lasting impact on Carolyn’s life.

In her childhood years, Carolyn was studious and loved to read and write. She took piano lessons, along with her sisters as a young girl, and just like her mother, was naturally gifted to play music by ear. Despite missing school often due to her health, Carolyn would go on to attend Evanston Township High School, where she graduated in 1975. After high school graduation, she maintained employment in the Chicago metropolitan area in various administrative and clerical roles.

In 1984, Carolyn gave birth to a daughter, Jocelyn, and embarked on a lifelong journey of motherhood. In 1989, Carolyn, along with her daughter, ventured from her hometown of Evanston and all that she had ever known, to seek a fresh start in Milwaukee, WI. She was relentless in her sacrifice and pursuit as a mother to provide her daughter with the best in life. Carolyn achieved many accomplishments and built a loving network of spiritual family and friends.

As God would have it, Carolyn joined Community Baptist Church of Greater Milwaukee (CBC) under the mentorship and pastoring of Dr. Roy B. Nabors. A connection she maintained for a lifetime. Carolyn made a public confession of her faith in Jesus Christ and was baptized, alongside her daughter, in July 1992. Over the next seventeen years as a CBC member, she would mature in her Christian faith and ministry to others, doing what she treasured most. Carolyn was passionate about women empowerment and her work reflected the concerns of women from all walks of life. She served incarcerated women of Taycheedah Correctional Institution through prison ministry for nearly fifteen years. Eventually, as chairperson, she would oversee and facilitate bible study, operate as ministry liaison to chaplains and volunteers, and attend to the spiritual needs of incarcerated women, many of whom were serving life sentences.

Carolyn was also dedicated to serving and unifying women at CBC through Christian education. For over eight years, Carolyn served diligently alongside her spiritual mother, Marviline King, and spiritual sisters, planning and developing women’s conferences and retreats. Over the years, hundreds of women witnessed the healing power and sisterhood of spiritual fellowship. Carolyn, a lover of people, possessed a distinct ability to unify women from different backgrounds. Maybe it was her infectious smile and sense of humor or that she was an authentic listener and held interesting conversations. Perhaps, this was because Carolyn could relate to the plight of those who came from both sides of the track and many walks of life. Nevertheless, Carolyn loved people and brought friends, acquaintances, and family together.

Professionally, Carolyn loved helping others, was an excellent communicator, meticulous in thought, and was a proficient typist. Carolyn served in various administrative capacities with the Social Development Commission (SDC) on the city of Milwaukee’s westside. For nearly eight years she provided program assistance that served the economic and social needs of children and their families in her local community. She talked often of these work experiences, friendships formed along the way and how much this shaped her professional growth. For six years Carolyn volunteered to serve as Secretary of Board of Director’s with CBC’s Credit Union of Greater Milwaukee and provided administrative support to community members seeking small loans and financial services. Carolyn excelled and took much pride in this work as she continued to grow personally and professionally.

Carolyn, a life-long learner, loved reading, writing, history, and honored the privilege of teaching others. Self-determined to overcome circumstances handed to her, she pursued higher education as a returning adult. Scholastically, Carolyn was most proud of becoming an inaugural recipient of the Bill & Melinda Gates Millennium Scholars fund which afforded her the ability to pursue higher learning as a working parent and older adult. Over the next ten years she advanced academically earning an associate degree, a bachelor of science degree, and a master of science degree in education. In 2008, Carolyn earned, with honors, a Master of Science in Administrative Leadership, Instructional Design, from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. This was certainly a pinnacle moment. Carolyn valued her education and she led by example, graduating the very same weekend, alongside her daughter. Carolyn encouraged family, young people and peers alike, that if she could accomplish her educational goals at 52 years old, then others could certainly pursue the same. During her university experience, she made lasting friendships and promoted social justice groups for students of color, people with disabilities, and older/adult learners.

In 2009, Carolyn relocated to the Atlanta metropolitan area with her daughter and family. Leading up to retirement she was committed to meeting the diverse needs of child and adult learners. She served as a lead certified English teacher for private education and would eventually go on to pursue self-employment providing online instruction and support as owner of Nylorack Virtual Enterprises, LLC. She was proud of her transition to self-employment never allowing others to place limits on her.

Carolyn was an advocate for sickle cell research and its advances in medical treatment. Her experiences living with a condition with limited viable treatment options, encouraged Carolyn to support fundraising efforts for the Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia. Carolyn used social media platforms to connect with and pray for people all over the world and drew her strength from a ministry of helping others live fuller lives with this disease.

Carolyn truly loved her family and friends dearly. To have her as a friend, is to have a friend for a lifetime. Carolyn was the family’s cook extraordinaire and she found joy sharing her love for family through food. In addition to cooking, Carolyn loved the freedom of travel, to learn about other cultures, and to meet new and interesting people. You could find her mingling amongst a crowd, debating politics with an acquaintance, or relaxing quietly on a beach with the still waters of God. Carolyn was an avid basketball fan and you could find her at a game rooting for the San Antonio Spurs, her favorite sports team. She also loved to watch tennis and was an admirer of Venus and Serena Williams. Carolyn found peace from planting flowers and was known to have a “green thumb.” She had a special touch with flowers and plants, which all thrived under her care. Carolyn, a strong and sweet spirit, lived her life resiliently, intentionally and without constraints.

The middle of five sisters, Carolyn loved them immensely and was honest about her life’s trials and triumphs. In 2018, she was most notably proud of her sisters and their literary accomplishments as publishing co-authors of, “Diva 5 Alive: Letters to My Sisters.” Through this endeavor, Carolyn embarked on a personal journey toward healing, acknowledged her faith in Christ, and reinvigorated her joy for writing. In 2019, God granted Carolyn her heart’s most precious desire which was to witness the birth of her first grandchild, Kaitlyn, who she affectionately called her “Sweet Pea.” At the time of her earthly transition, Carolyn was a faithful member of Changing a Generation Full Gospel Baptist Church (Atlanta, GA) under leadership of Bishop Paul S. Morton.

Her giving and sweet spirit, strong will, unwavering faith, service and loving nature towards others, will leave a lasting legacy and indelible imprint in the hearts and minds of all who love her. Carolyn was a devoted mother, loving “Gran-Nana,” sister, aunt, godmother, niece, cousin, and loyal friend to many. Carolyn R. Gibert leaves to cherish and honor her legacy: one daughter and son-in-law Jocelyn and Kenzie Alston; one granddaughter Kaitlyn Alston; four sisters Marilyn McBride, Brenda (Kenneth) Miller, Julie Gray, and Evette (Bernard) Allen; three brothers, Floyd (Dawanna) Gibert, Michael (Gertrude) Gibert, and Kevin (Candice) Gibert; one aunt Thelma Gibert Jones; one uncle Wilbur Gibert, godchildren Vonadrian and Vondarius Baldwin, and a host of beloved nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins and friends.