Claire Elizabeth Gibbs

Claire leaves to mourn her parents Brad and Amy Gibbs and brother Caleb of Atlanta; great grandmother Jean Grynol of Winnipeg, Canada; great grandmother Ruby Gibbs of Fitzgerald, GA; grandparents Roy and Nancy Gibbs of Cordele, GA and Ray and Michelle Grynol of Winnipeg, Canada, as well as uncles and aunts Chad and Lucy Gibbs of Brooks, GA; Becky and Brian Galyean of Gainsville, GA; Ben and Pam Grynol of Winnipeg, Canada; Matt and Ashlyn Grynol of Minneapolis, MN. Claire also leaves to mourn her honorary aunt and uncle Luanne and Patrick Frantz of Atlanta, GA, and many other aunts, uncles, and cousins throughout the world.

Born on January 5, 2011 at Duke University Hospital in Durham, NC, Claire lived a glorious seven years. Despite suffering from numerous physical disabilities during her short life, Claire still had an inspirational spirit of courage, perseverance, innocence and purity in her soul that touched the hearts of everyone she met and changed their lives for the better. Unable to talk, she shared her love and emotions through clicks of her tongue, smiles, laughter and eye contact and through activating the switches on various communication devices, all seemingly small gestures that had profound impacts. A few years ago, Claire inspired the members of Wieuca Road Baptist Church so deeply that, in her honor, they created the Claire Gibbs Friendship Home, a short-term residence for family members of those experiencing an extended hospital stay.

Claire’s medical challenges did not prevent her from enjoying a fulfilling life. She especially loved sitting in her sun room or outside on bright and sunny days, seeing the birds in her garden, playing with her dolls, going on yearly family trips to Disney World where she had tea with princesses, listening to the music at church, joining a Brownie troop and being in the company of friends who treated her with extra care and kindness, attending Art Camp at the High Museum, participating in father-daughter dances hosted by FOCUS, going on girls’ trips with her mom to visit the American Girl Doll Store or to get manicures, snuggling with her dad on the couch and watching golf, snuggling with her mom and reading Ivy and Bean books, and snuggling with her special “bestie”, her caregiver Luanne Frantz (“Aunty Lu”), who drew smiles from her each morning by singing “You are my Sunshine.”

She will no doubt be enchanting people in Heaven in the same magical way she did on Earth.

Special thanks to all of Claire’s doctors, therapists and teachers, who were tireless in their efforts to improve Claire’s quality of life; her babysitters from Mercer University School of Physical Therapy, who loved practicing new techniques with their favorite patient; her faithful and devoted caregiver, Luanne Frantz, husband Patrick, and their family, who loved Claire like their own; and the members of Wieuca Road Baptist Church, who constantly doted on, loved, and cherished Claire, and gave strength to her parents, Brad and Amy throughout Claire’s life. Additional thanks to FOCUS and Fragile Kids for providing comfort, hope and fun; the High Museum, for including Claire in their art programs, and Pace Academy Brownie Troop #17055 for welcoming Claire with open arms.

Visitation will take place on Friday, April, 6 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at H. M. Patterson and Son – Oglethorpe Hill Chapel, 4550 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30319.

The celebration of Claire’s incredible life will be held on Saturday, April 7 at 11:00 a.m. at Wieuca Road Baptist Church, 3626 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30326. In her honor, those attending are invited to wear her favorite color, pink. Interment will follow at Arlington Memorial Park, 201 Mt Vernon Hwy NW, Sandy Springs, GA 30328.

Skipping fast across the grass, a joy you’ve never known

Swinging high to reach the sky, kicking on your own

Chasing butterflies, blowing bubbles, jumping high and fast,

Our hearts are sad; we try to be glad, knowing you’re free at last

“You’ll never know dear how much I love you” is how the song would go,

But that beautiful smile, clicking all the while, told us “I do know!”

You taught us love, you gave us strength, the sunshine of our day,

You were the best, now it’s time to rest, we’ll hear “Hi” again someday.

Patrick Frantz