Jennifer Gibson remembered

A tremendous shock was dealt to Hayesville Schools last week. Jennifer Gibson, middle and high school band director for more than two decades, died September 14 after a brief illness. Along with her husband of 21 years, Andy Gibson, and twin 13-year-old daughters, Ann and Grace Gibson, she left a legacy of hundreds of students and dozens of school staff who loved her.

The void is evident in the memories expressed by grieving students, former students, and others. Breanna McGough plays tuba in marching band and concert band. “Mrs. Gibson always made sure her students felt loved and cared for. She had the biggest heart and was always there for her students,” the Hayesville High School senior said. “Mrs. Gibson helped me through a lot of my family and personal issues. If I needed somebody, no matter the time, she would be there. To many of us, she was more than a teacher. She was our friend and second mother. I will never forget the fun and good moments I had with her. When I would walk in every day and say ‘hey mom’. There were many times she sat with me just talking. It could be problems or just to talk. She will forever be missed and forever hold a special place in many hearts, especially mine.”

Hayesville High School Marching Band Drum Major Jacob Christiansen echoed McGough. “Mrs. Gibson’s impact on the lives of students, friends, and family cannot simply be explained by words, but by music and the impression left by it,” he said. “Anyone who met her had his or her life changed for the better. I know God used Mrs. G to spread positivity. I had never anticipated joining band, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. We all ticked the box to sign up for band, but we didn’t sign up for only band. We signed up for Mrs. Jennifer Gibson’s band--a family of hardworking, loving, caring, and soulful students all led by the most wonderful person. I wouldn’t be who I am today if not for Mrs. G. Her hard work, care, passion, and love for what she does shaped me from the quiet clarinetist in middle school to who I am now-- drum major. I’ve learned a lot about music from her, but I can honestly say I learned more about life. Whether it be on the field, the classroom, or in her office, I was learning something new--a lot of times it was about myself and my own character. It takes a special person to be a band director and a more special person to be a better friend. Mrs. G was both and more. Mrs. G, you are a story for the ages. Thank you for making us who we are today.”

Middle school teacher Ginger Scerri and Jennifer Gibson had developed a close friendship. Scerri will miss evenings spent with both of their daughters while husbands worked, as well as heartfelt talks over cups of tea, and Gibson’s crazy socks. Scerri was heartbroken as she wrote words from her heart to be spoken at a service honoring Gibson last week. “I am committed to honoring you, my amazing friend, by being like you would be, which is somehow finding a way to honor your memory with joy, love, memories, a chuckle, and a challenge,” Scerri wrote. “I am heartbroken, like so many who have been so deeply impacted by Jennifer. I have a heart full of love and appreciation because she loved me, and for that I have been forever changed for the better. I have a heart full of love knowing how many lives have been changed by one incredibly rare find of a woman. I have a heart full of love from simply being allowed the privilege to do life with Jennifer and call her my friend.”

Scerri said Gibson loved everyone so fiercely, she is hopeful. “For the future of every person she has positively shaped and impacted, and all the amazing good this will bring to this world; hopeful that people will slow down and simply love a little bit more like Jennifer; hopeful for the legacy she has left behind in so many and the many ways this will change the world for the better.” Scerri continued, “I am hopeful this community will band together, pun intended just for Jennifer’s sake, to all work harder in your absence to teach, love, and reach all who need that person to believe in them just like you did.”

Scerri’s words brought smiles as she reminded how Jennifer Gibson loved her daughters, her husband, her church and her Christian faith, and music, along with a cup of hot tea, Pepsi, Strawberry Bonbons, and making jam.

Eighth grade band student Carter Whitfield was only four the first time he met Gibson, but he already knew he wanted to be in band. “I joined band in fifth grade and Mrs. Gibson has been the perfect example of a teacher since,” he said. “She shined light on everyone who knew her, and I will always be happy I was blessed enough to know her as well as I did.”

Clay Schools music teacher Alexis Dockery also met Jennifer Gibson as a fifth-grade band student. “Through the 16 years I’ve known Jennifer she was my teacher, mentor, colleague, and friend,” she said. “When I joined band, I had no idea how much it would change my life. Band became my safe place in school. She used to tell the class she didn’t know what she wanted to be when she grew up, but I knew I wanted to be like her. She loved others deeply. She pointed us to hope in times of darkness whether it was going through tragedies and struggles or just being a middle schooler. She shared the gift of music with others by showing us the value in playing with a group of musicians, and how it can nurture your soul. Jennifer inspired me to teach music and helped support me in so many ways on my journey to become a music educator. Her light left a mark on so many, and I can’t find the words to describe the tremendous feeling of loss. To this day, when I grow up, I want to be like Mrs. Gibson, and I hope I can be even half the teacher she was.”

Billie-Jeanne Carter also became a music teacher because of Gibson’s influence. When Carter was in band from 1999-2007, Gibson encouraged her to audition for leadership roles which made her woodwind captain and then drum major. “Mrs. Gibson is special to me because of the love she had for me, other students, band, and Hayesville schools,” Carter said. “She would give up planning periods and time before and after school to sit and listen if I was having a problem, needed help with school, college applications, or scholarships. I have so many memories of conversations on the bus for band competitions, trips to watch BOA, driving to WCU so I could meet other teacher fellows. She passed along so much advice to me throughout the years I was part of band and then as I began teaching. She will definitely be missed.”

Even Gibson’s flute professor Pam Nelson from Meredith College shared sentiments. “When asked in her first lesson as a freshman flute major what she could see herself doing with a music degree, Jennifer answered confidently, ‘I am going to be a band director,’” Nelson said. “Most freshmen are not that sure, but Jennifer never wavered from her life’s path.  She later decided she wanted to add music performance, not because she wanted to be a professional performer, but because she would be better prepared to help any of her future students who might want to do that. She was a very loving person, especially with children.”

Gibson sometimes babysat Nelson’s two-year-old grandson, “I could see the love on her face,” she said. “Jennifer was a thoughtful and giving person, mixed with a bit of delightful impishness.  She and her pal, Liz, helped me celebrate my December birthday by surprising me one cold evening, blindfolding me and driving me out to RDU airport’s viewing deck to have a picnic while watching planes. Freezing. But it is a night and gesture I will never forget! Then there was her senior recital. I was on my way to see how she was doing when she came and threw her arms around me in the biggest hug. I had to remind her she would be fine, and she should breathe and, eventually would have to let go. I guess now I, and all of those who love her, are the ones who must let go, at least physically.  She will always reside in our hearts and will be giving us that great big hug.”

Andy Gibson posted on social media on behalf of his daughters and himself, reciting words he had written prior to his wife’s death. “Ann, Grace and I are overwhelmed by all of your outpourings of love and support during our dark moments as we laid Jennifer to rest,” he said. “When I wrote most of this, Jennifer was still in the hospital fighting strong. We didn't know or understand all of God's plan for Jennifer at that time. But then, and now, we do trust His plan, and know that His Will won't take us anywhere that His Grace won't carry us.” The complete post in honor of his wife is adjacent to this article.

Scerri finished. “I just want to remind each of you to love like Jennifer, and to strive to live as Jennifer did with such pureness and faith. God bless each of you and remember that beautiful smile of hers and her marching band director voice is cheering you every step you take.”

Then as if she was talking to her friend, she said, “These times ahead are going to be tough and are going to hurt because you are not here and someone as impactful as you will leave a hole that’s hard to fill. However, times ahead will also be beautiful because of the daily things we have to always remember you.”

Gibson’s influence also prompted Hayesville graduate Nikki Baten to earn a music education degree. She went on to become a UMC pastor, but Jennifer Gibson was proud of that, too. “It’s inspiring to read all the things people have said about her and to see how many lives she touched,” Baten said. “And it’s sad to think of the thousands of students she would have had the chance to impact in the rest of her career.”

Perhaps Andy Gibson spoke for the entire community when he said, “We now know God has chosen for Jennifer to write the rest of her story eternally in Heaven. We do know her story well, and I do know this. We'll all be better people for writing ours to include these things precious to her.”

Carter Whitfield added, “We will keep playing music just for you Mrs. Gibson.”

Andy Gibson ended. “Jennifer, I love you. We all love you and are praying for you to help us keep writing your story here on earth. To our friends and family, thank you, we love you, and appreciate your prayers.”