MEMORIAL-REV. JOHN GIBSON SR.

Illinois General Assembly - Full Text of HR0976

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HR0976 - 104th General Assembly

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HR0976
LRB104 22305 RMO 38744 r
1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

2

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3
Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Reverend
4
John L. Gibson Sr., who passed away on May 27, 2026; and

5

WHEREAS, Rev. Gibson, the son of the late Rev. Spencer and
6
Alberta Gibson, was born in Leland, Mississippi on July 21,
7
1939; he joined the ministry early in life, earning a degree in
8
Christian training from United Baptist Theology Seminary and a
9
Bachelor of Theology from the Illinois Missionary Baptist
10
Institute and Seminary; and

11

WHEREAS, Rev. Gibson, senior pastor of Rising Sun
12
Christian Church, led with vision, compassion, and unwavering
13
devotion for 48 years; he guided the organization, formerly
14
Rising Sun Baptist Church, through a renaming intended to
15
reflect greater religious inclusivity and the construction of
16
its new location in 1991; and

17

WHEREAS, Rev. Gibson was not only a powerful preacher but
18
also an anointed psalmist whose voice brought comfort,
19
strength, and healing during altar calls and at homegoing
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services; his heartfelt rendering of the song "I Won't
21
Complain" became his signature testimony of faith and
22
perseverance, leaving an indelible mark on all who heard him;

HR0976
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LRB104 22305 RMO 38744 r
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and

2

WHEREAS, Rev. Gibson made an impact far beyond church
3
walls, acting as a mentor, counselor, and pillar of the
4
community; he championed youth empowerment, advocated for
5
social justice, and fostered healing across generations; and

6

WHEREAS, Rev. Gibson shared his musical gifts as a lead
7
singer and bass player for the Midwest Singers, a group known
8
for delivering powerful gospel music throughout the region;
9
his band recorded an album featuring a variety of songs,
10
including "Something On My Mind" and "He's All Right", under
11
Golden Voices Records in 1971; and

12

WHEREAS, Rev. Gibson's legacy will live on in the
13
countless lives he touched through prayer, preaching, and
14
song; and

15

WHEREAS, Rev. Gibson was preceded in death by his first
16
wife, Victory A. Jackson-Gibson; his sons, Kerry Cornell
17
Gibson, Kary Lester Gibson, and Kevin John Gibson; his
18
stepson, Bruce Cockfield Jr.; and his grandson, Jamanni M.
19
Gibson; and

20

WHEREAS, Rev. Gibson is survived by his wife, Gigi M.
21
Hamilton-Gibson; his children, Kimberly Parker and Kayretha

HR0976
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LRB104 22305 RMO 38744 r
1
Parker; his stepchildren, Andriea A. Cockfield, Natasha R.
2
Cockfield, and Nicole (DeMarcus) McNeil; and many
3
grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family, church
4
members, and spiritual sons and daughters; therefore, be it

5

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
6
HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
7
we mourn the passing of Reverend John L. Gibson Sr. and extend
8
our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who
9
knew and loved him; and be it further

10

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
11
presented to the family of Rev. Gibson as an expression of our
12
deepest sympathy.

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