In Memory Of
Evelyn Gibson
1924
2024
Evelyn Gibson
July 6, 1924 — February 15, 2024
Evelyn Elizabeth Bowman Gibson of Olathe, KS, passed away on February 15, 2024, five months before her 100th birthday. Her health had been declining in recent years.
Evelyn served in the Church of the Nazarene for 50 years until she retired in 1994. She began her ministry in 1944, the year she married her late husband, Dr. Donald J. Gibson. They began their ministry with the Church of the Nazarene in Potomac, Illinois, and later served at churches in Blue Island, Illinois, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, until 1958.
Later Evelyn assisted her husband when he served as the district superintendent of the Nazarene Church in Wisconsin, Missouri, central Ohio, and eastern Michigan. She served as the district Nazarene World Mission's Society president in three districts.
Evelyn worked as an administrator in the development office at what is now Olivet Nazarene University in Kankakee, Illinois, while her husband served as Vice President for Development. Later she assisted with personal evangelism clinics during her husband's service as director of the Department of Evangelism at the headquarters for the Church of the Nazarene in Kansas City, Missouri, from 1974 to 1979.
Evelyn moved to Kansas City following the death of her husband in September 1983. She worked for seven years as deputation coordinator for the Division of World Missions in the Church of the Nazarene in Kansas City, Missouri, from 1984 to 1994. Evelyn served on the College Church of the Nazarene board in Olathe, Kansas, beginning in 1984.
Evelyn was born in Lewiston, Illinois, on July 6, 1924, the daughter of Wilber L. and Betty A. Bowman. She graduated from Lewiston High School and attended Olivet Nazarene University for two years. She was honored as a "Rosie the Riveter" for her service in a munitions factory and sock factory during World War II.
Evelyn is survived by three daughters, Donna Joan Read (husband Terry Read) of Valley Center, CA; Linda Kay Hiebert (husband Murray Hiebert) of Washington, DC; and Elizabeth Ann Gibson Rose (husband Richard Rose) of Overland Park, KS. She is also survived by eight grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at College Church of the Nazarene, Saturday, July 27, 2024 at 2:00 pm with a reception to follow.
In honor of Donald Gibson and Evelyn Gibson's ministry, a scholarship fund has been established at Olivet Nazarene University, Kankakee, Illinois, for students preparing for ministry. Contributions are welcome and can be sent to the Development Office, Olivet Nazarene University, Kankakee, Illinois: Olivet Nazarene University, Dr Woody Webb, One University Ave., Bourbonnais, IL, 60914. You may also donate via Olivet.edu/donate and designate to the Donald and Evelyn Gibson Scholarship Fund.
To share a memory of Evelyn or leave a special message for her family, please visit the guestbook below.
Evelyn served in the Church of the Nazarene for 50 years until she retired in 1994. She began her ministry in 1944, the year she married her late husband, Dr. Donald J. Gibson. They began their ministry with the Church of the Nazarene in Potomac, Illinois, and later served at churches in Blue Island, Illinois, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, until 1958.
Later Evelyn assisted her husband when he served as the district superintendent of the Nazarene Church in Wisconsin, Missouri, central Ohio, and eastern Michigan. She served as the district Nazarene World Mission's Society president in three districts.
Evelyn worked as an administrator in the development office at what is now Olivet Nazarene University in Kankakee, Illinois, while her husband served as Vice President for Development. Later she assisted with personal evangelism clinics during her husband's service as director of the Department of Evangelism at the headquarters for the Church of the Nazarene in Kansas City, Missouri, from 1974 to 1979.
Evelyn moved to Kansas City following the death of her husband in September 1983. She worked for seven years as deputation coordinator for the Division of World Missions in the Church of the Nazarene in Kansas City, Missouri, from 1984 to 1994. Evelyn served on the College Church of the Nazarene board in Olathe, Kansas, beginning in 1984.
Evelyn was born in Lewiston, Illinois, on July 6, 1924, the daughter of Wilber L. and Betty A. Bowman. She graduated from Lewiston High School and attended Olivet Nazarene University for two years. She was honored as a "Rosie the Riveter" for her service in a munitions factory and sock factory during World War II.
Evelyn is survived by three daughters, Donna Joan Read (husband Terry Read) of Valley Center, CA; Linda Kay Hiebert (husband Murray Hiebert) of Washington, DC; and Elizabeth Ann Gibson Rose (husband Richard Rose) of Overland Park, KS. She is also survived by eight grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at College Church of the Nazarene, Saturday, July 27, 2024 at 2:00 pm with a reception to follow.
In honor of Donald Gibson and Evelyn Gibson's ministry, a scholarship fund has been established at Olivet Nazarene University, Kankakee, Illinois, for students preparing for ministry. Contributions are welcome and can be sent to the Development Office, Olivet Nazarene University, Kankakee, Illinois: Olivet Nazarene University, Dr Woody Webb, One University Ave., Bourbonnais, IL, 60914. You may also donate via Olivet.edu/donate and designate to the Donald and Evelyn Gibson Scholarship Fund.
To share a memory of Evelyn or leave a special message for her family, please visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Evelyn Gibson, please visit our flower store.
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