Dr. Clement Esel Gibson

The family of Clement Esel Gibson announce his passing at age 71 on Thursday, May 9, 2019 at home in Bluffton, South Carolina, after the long and debilitating Pick’s Disease – Primary Progressive Aphasia. 

He was born in Henrietta, Texas on September 14, 1947.  Clement was preceded in death by his parents Reverend E.J. Gibson and Mary Elizabeth Ford Gibson.  Throughout his life Clement was an accomplished musician and vocalist.  He graduated from Parkersburg, West Virginia High School in1965 and performed in various musical and theatre productions there; also played double bass in the Parkersburg Orchestra.  Clement subsequently attended Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee, and performed with the Lee Singers and other groups.  He earned his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Lee University in 1969 and his M.A. in Music Education from Marshall University.  Clement earned his M.A. in Administration from the University of North Texas followed by a Ph.D. in Music Education from Lorenz University. 

He served as Minister of Music in numerous churches over the course of many years, provided piano and vocal training to young performers, was an Associate Professor at Southwestern Assembly of God University, and an elementary educator at Lakeridge Elementary School in Cedar Hill, Texas, as well as elementary coordinator for Cedar Hill Independent School District. Clement was a member of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas. He sang in the church choir and led worship in the More Than Conquerors Bible Fellowship Class. 

Clement is survived by his wife of 50 years, Rachel Masters Gibson, their son Chad Parker Gibson (wife Susanne), grandchildren McKinley and Ainsley Gibson, sisters Paula Gibson Noble (husband Reverend Jerry Noble) and Pamela Gibson Picklesimer (husband Quinton Picklesimer).  The family would like to thank the loving caregivers Rachel’s sisters Joyce Masters Dalton and Karen Masters Wicks, their husbands Jay Dalton (primary caregiver) and Les Wicks, and Amedisys Hospice Care. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Royal Live Oaks Academy of the Arts & Sciences Charter School - www.rloacs.org, P.O. Box 528, Hardeeville, SC 29927.  Clement’s Celebration Service will be held at Ridgeland Baptist Church, 1149 Grays Highway, Ridgeland, South Carolina on Saturday, May 25, 11:00am, officiated by Dr. Larry Scott, Pastor.

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