IN LOVING MEMORY OF RONALD KEITH GIBSON, SR.

April Gibson (of April and Nina's Salon and producer of The Noshing with Nina Show) said her final goodbye to her father Ronald Gibson, Sr. who departed this earth on May 9, 2019. His funeral service was held in April's hometown of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

"Ronald Gibson, Sr. was born in Tallulah, Louisiana to Dollie Mae Lee and adopted by Joseph D. Gibson (Joe). He attended Holy Rosary School, Louisiana State University, and took a position at the U.S. Postal Service where he was employed for 37 years.

Ronald married Sherry Ann Corbin on August 21, 1970. They are the proud parents of two sons, Ronald Keith Gibson, Jr. (Chandra), Robert DeMond Gibson, and a daughter, April Charrissa Gibson. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren, two sisters, an uncle, and a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends."

Nina Kennedy participated in the program by performing the processional music on the piano (Dedication by Robert Schumann), and playing recordings of performances by her father Matthew Kennedy ("How Great Thou Art") and selections performed by the Fisk Jubilee Singers. Mr. Gibson's cousin Dr. Sandra Canon Scott also performed two gospel selections during the program.

April gave a moving tribute to her father, in which she paraphrased a conversation between father and son in the August Wilson play Fences.

SON: “Dad. Why don’t you like me?” DAD: “Like You? What law is there that say I got to like you? Don’t you eat everyday? Got a roof over your head? Got clothes on your back? Now why you think that is?” SON: “Cause you like me?” DAD: “Like you? You 'bout the biggest fool I ever saw. It’s my job. It’s my duty to take care of you. I owe a responsibility to you. I ain’t got to like you. My Boss don’t give me my money come pay day because he likes me. He give it to me cause he owe me..... Don’t you go through life worrying about whether someone like you or not. YOU BEST BE MAKING SURE THEY DOING RIGHT BY YOU."

Her tribute received a warm round of applause.

April and her brothers Ronald, Jr. and Robert

What we’d give, if we could say
“Hello, Dad!” in that same old way
To hear your voice, see your smile
To sit with you and chat awhile..
So you who have your Father
Cherish him with care
For you’ll never know the heartache
Till you see his vacant chair.

- The Gibson children