Shirley Gibson

“A light from our household has dimmed.  A voice we loved has been stilled.  A place is vacant in our hearts that can never be filled.”

The epitome of elegance and steadfast faith, Mrs. Shirley Ann Higgins Gibson of Smithville, Texas, entered Eternal rest on January 2, 2021.

In the small town of Bastrop, Texas on October 31, 1957, God Blessed Robert Benford and Maggie Taylor with a beautiful brown eye baby girl, who they named Shirley Ann Higgins.

Shirley Ann grew up in the community of Piney. She attended the public schools in Bastrop School District and graduated from Bastrop High School with the Class of 1978.

Shirley Ann confessed her love for Christ at an early age at Bethlehem Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Brown.

After graduating she meet a wonderful man, Robert Hawkins and moved to Elgin, Texas. The Lord trusted them with one child, a girl, Cassandra Ann Hawkins.

After a short journey, Shirley Ann returned to Bastrop and worked as a Field nurse for Blue Home Healthcare in 1978.  She was a faithful and caring nurse. She remained with the company as it went through their growing pains and name changing to Bluebonnet Home Health.  Shirley loved helping people and caring for them as she could be a part of their success to recovery. She retired in 2011.

On December 31, 2001, Shirley was united in Holy Matrimony to Clifton Gibson.

When the dust settled down around Shirley’s feet she was in Smithville, where she called home. She was known as a sweet caring Lady who love everyone.  She enjoyed working with her pretty plants and yard art; never missing a Garage Sale or a coupon sale from Hobby Lobby.  Her favorite spot was the Mall.  As Shirley made Smithville her home, she made Sweet Home Primitive Baptist Church her Church home, under the leadership of Reverend Johnnie Thomas, Pastor.

Shirley was a God-fearing woman but loved the Lord dearly.  As the gates open for Shirley she will be reunited with her parents, Robert (Rob) Benford and Maggie (Sugar)Taylor, a grandson, Zeauntray (Kudda) Owens, a sister, Alice (Faye), and brothers, McArthur Hill, Robert Higgins, and Charles Higgins. As she walked around Heaven, she will see two nephews, Dwain Hill and Willie Morris Higgins. Praise God!

In God’s care, to cherish her memory, Shirley Ann leaves her only child, Cassandra Ann Hawkins (Thomas Chandler) and her five Children, who made sure she will never be lonely, Anya Wilson, Liznita Harris, Dominique Hawkins (Monisha) blessed her with two great grandchildren Kahleeya and Treavon; Christopher Aldridge and his wife, Simone who blessed her with two great granddaughters Aviana and Christiana; One granddaughter, Di’Zhaunique Aldridge and blessed her with 4 great grandchildren, Du’juan Green, Jr., Christopher Spence, Jr, Da’Niyana Hawkins and Da’ Monta Hawkins; Daytron Owens and his wife, D’Asia, blessed her with two great grandsons Major Owens, and Legend Owens, daughter in laws: Shun Davis and Felica Chandler, granddaughter: Anya Wilson, and Liznita Harris; her only brother: Jerry Higgins (Val) of Louisiana, her Bonus daughters: Felica Reed (Allen) of Round Rock, and Barbara Wright of Taylor, Bonus Grandson, Anthony Justice, and a host of nephews, nieces and other relatives. Shirley Ann also leaves a friend, one closer than sister, Carolyn Matthews.