The "Roaring Twenties" ushered in many exciting things...Fabulous fashions, extravagant lifestyles, energetic dancing, and a feisty little girl born in Jefferson County Georgia...Mary Belle Gibbons (Mabel). Born June 5, 1920, she was the daughter of John Willie Gibbons, Sr., and Leslie Gibbons Gibbons who were blessed with six children: John Willie Gibbons,Jr., Mary Gibbons, Woodrow Gibbons, Mary Belle Gibbons (aka Mabel/Mable/Aunt Sis), Aszener Gibbons Brown and Jonas S. Gibbons, Sr. God sent her a ticket to heaven on November 21, 2022, after a peaceful transition from her home.

A strong woman with an abundance of energy, curiosity about the world and a desire to travel, Mary Belle left Georgia around the age of 19 and went to live with her Aunt Mary in Milwaukee, WI. for several years. She changed her legal name to Mabel and joined Rahova Church of God and Christ (C.O.G.I.C.) where she accepted Christ as her savior. Religion became the driving force in her life.

She relocated to White Plains, NY where she met the love of her life... Leroy Gant. They married and established a Christian life serving God under Elder O.O. Chambers. In 1964 they joined a new church in New Rochelle, NY under the leadership of Elder Fetson Leak. She served her church in many capacities: Playing the drums, Usher Board, Anniversary Coordinator and president of the Missionary Board. She became a licensed evangelist in 1979.

Mabel was always immersed in church programs often taking the lead, and she kept her children involved as well. She would organize bus rides to raise money for the church. She became a missionary for the church and worked with their "Home and Foreign Missions" program. This fueled her first foreign trip, to see "The Holy Land" and "The Motherland." She traveled many places both domestic and foreign: Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Texas and the states along the East coast. International travel included Africa, Bahamas, Canada, England, France, Israel, Italy, Japan and Mexico.

Growing tired of seeing her family at sad occasions, she convinced her brother Jonas, cousin Lillian Hall, niece Leslie Merriweather and several other family members to start a Family Reunion. That was over 40 years ago, and they are still going strong. She would always say, “It’s important to know who your people are.”

In NY she worked at General Foods and then got her CNA certification and went to work at Grasslands Hospital in Valhalla, NY. After some years she received her LPN and went on to serve private duty in Delray Beach until her 80’s.

After retiring to Delray Beach, Fl in 1979 she joined Ridley Temple serving under Elder Charles Ridley and later under Elder Thomas Moore who elevated her to “Church Mother” in 1989. Known as a “Prayer Warrior” she would go with her sister-in-law, Mrs. Earline Gibbons (Rev. Jonas Gibbons, Sr.) to visit the sick and pray for them in various hospitals and homes.

She was preceded in death by husband Leroy Gant, Sr. and son, Samuel D. Bennet, as well as her parents and five siblings. Her nieces Leslie Merriweather, Ruby Gibbons-Grant and nephew Jonas Gibbons, Jr also preceded her. She is survived by 3 of her children: Martha Scheryl Gant, Deborah Gant-Hauges (Donald Small) and Leroy Gant Jr. (Joyce) also devoted niece Diane Jones-Foster of Delray Beach, FL. (Verley), Grandchildren: Jarrett Robert Hauges, Kelly Tanee Gant-Chambers (Jason) and Nadine Latia Gant and step-grandchild Iisha Small. Great-Grandchildren: Chanel Ymani & Aysia Cianni Boyd, Jayla Venice Saunders and Mason Saint Chambers in addition to a multitude of nephews, nieces, relatives, church family and friends.

A celebration of life will be 10:30 AM, Monday, December 5, 2022, at the Historic Tabernacle Baptist Church (1223 Laney Walker Boulevard-Augusta, GA) with Rev. Dr. Charles E. Goodman, Jr., officiating. Interment at Delray Beach Memorial Gardens. Public viewing and visitation, 2 PM-6 PM, Friday December 2, 2022, at Kinsey & Walton Funeral Home, 3618 Peach Orchard Road, Augusta, GA. (706) 790-8858.