Alice Verdelle Gibbons

Alice Verdelle Gibbons, daughter of Robert P. Rhoads and Gladys Alice (nee Berndt) Rhoads, was born in Glendale, California on October 29, 1930 and died on July 26, 2017 in Ripon, California.  Alice graduated from Burbank High School in 1948.  She attended the Alliance church in Glendale, CA and heard God’s call to missionary service.  In 1951 she graduated from Simpson Bible Institute (Simpson University) then located in Seattle.  Alice met Don Gibbons during a summer ministry time on Whidbey Island. Don and Alice were married on June 30, 1951 then served in Paulina, Oregon with Village Missions for two years. They were sent out as missionaries by the Christian and Missionary Alliance, setting out on an ocean freighter to Papua, Indonesia (then known as Netherlands New Guinea).  They were among the first outsiders to contact stone age tribes in the Ilaga and Beoga valleys. In their 42 years of service they saw the good news of Jesus Christ transform the lives of these tribal people. The darkness of fear, spirit worship and constant warfare was transformed into peace and forgiveness from God. Alice worked as a full partner in this ministry spearheading literacy programs, writing Sunday School curriculum and seminar presentations and personally teaching future church leaders about the Bible.

Alice wrote two books that chronicle their lives and ministry in Papua.  “The People Time Forgot” and “Where the Earth Ends.”  After returning to the USA, Alice was active in their churches and community in Paradise, and Ripon, California. Alice and Don celebrated 66 years of marriage in June. Alice is survived by her husband, Don (Donald), their daughters Kathleen Brooks (Tim), Joyce Parker, Lori Clark (Dave), Helen White (Doug), Darlene LeTexier (John); and 13 grandchilden: Christy, Matthew, Eric, Dane, Joshua, Kevin, Jesse, Aaron, Caleb, Rachel, Daniel, Jack, and Karis; and 15 great-grandchildren; and her siblings, Robert Rhoads, Ralph Rhoads and Miriam Johnston as well as nieces and nephews.  Two Memorial services will be held: Tuesday 08/01/2017 10:00am at Ripon Grace Church 734 W Main St.  Ripon, CA 9536 AND Friday 08/04/2017 11:00am at Paradise Alliance Church 6491 Clark Rd. Paradise, CA  95969. In lieu of flowers please send any gifts in Loving Memory to: The Christian & Missionary Alliance 8595 Explorer Dr. Colorado Springs, CO 80920 designated to: the GCF (The Great Commission Fund.)

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