01/02/10

Sister Merle Gibson, the last attending Charter Member went to be with the Lord on
March 9, 2009

She was born March 24, 1918 in Clarkesville Arkansas and was saved on Wednesday Night in June of 1936. She was married to Bill Gibson September 11, 1941 and they moved from Oklahoma to California in 1943. They had 5 children - 3 girls and 2 boys.

Merle was a nurse and she first worked at the Stanislaus County Hospital. She retired from the Tri-Valley Cannery in 1982.

Bill and Merle were active in STARTING the Missionary Baptist Mission in August of 1949 - now known as Landmark Missionary Baptist Church of Modesto. Merle was the last charter member in attendance. A visit with Merle was truly an uplifting experience. She had a great many wonderful stories about this church, former pastors and members, good times and bad times. She talked about her Lord as Him being a personal friend. She was a Sunday School Teacher and active in the ladies auxiliary. She desired that everyone would know the Lord as their Savior. Myrtle Cheek tells of a time when she was working  in her front yard and she would ask each person passing by, "Do you know the Lord?" Merle was a genuine model of a Christian woman. What a blessing to have had her with us.

Merle, you are missed!!!