The Alpha and Omega returned for Mrs. Della Mae Caldwell Gibbs on Wednesday, September 13, 2023, while at her residence. She was born on July 26, 1926, to the late Horace Wilbert and Ethel Rutherford Caldwell.  Della was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Mr. Robert Gibbs, Jr., a son, James Lewis Caldwell and a daughter, Theresa Mae Gibbs Wright.  In addition, she was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Pete and Gertrude Harbison Caldwell (who raised her); her parental grandparents, Mott and Lula Reid Harbison; brothers, Frank Rutherford, Trossy Harshaw, Frank (Sonny Boy) Caldwell and Charles Woodard; sisters, Faye Rutherford and Rev. Myrtle Carlton; great granddaughters, Doneshia Ozella Kincaid and Katora Cochran.  Della was educated in the Burke County school system, attending Willow Tree School and Olive Hill High School.

She was a domestic worker, serving as a cook at Dude's Drive-Inn as well as Cable's Family Care Nursing Home. Della was known for her delicious bread pudding. She enjoyed cooking for her family and her most precious job was babysitting, being "Granny" to her grandchildren, great and great-great grandchildren - being a five-generation family.  Della was a lifelong member of Willow Tree A.M.E. Church. She began serving the Lord at a young age and praised Him all the time. Della was a class leader, Stewardess, Senior Choir member, Missionary Society, Foster grandparent for the YPD and was "Mother" of the church.

Those left to cherish her memories are her daughter, Ollie Mae Kincaid of the home; son, Randy Max Gibbs of Morganton, NC; son-in-law, Herbert L. Wright, Jr. of Vine Grove, Kentucky; grandchildren, Charles Kincaid, Jr. (Sandra) of Winston-Salem, NC, Charlisa T. Kincaid and Byran E. Kincaid both of Morganton, NC, LaToya Gibbs of Raleigh, NC, Jacob Gibbs of Morganton, NC, Christopher M. Wright of St. Louis, MO, Tonya Wright and Jermaine Wright both of Elizabethtown, Kentucky; 16 great-grandchildren; 19 great-great grandchildren; brother, Wilbert Caldwell and sister, Tina Parson both of Lenoir, NC and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.  We would like to express our sincerest gratitude to Gracie Fullwood for the love and care provided to our Mother and Grandmother.

A homegoing celebration honoring the life of Mrs. Della Mae Caldwell Gibbs will be held Saturday September 23, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. in the Corpening Memorial Chapel of McCain Funeral Home & Cremations with Rev. Anthony Radcliff officiating and Rev. Rupert G. Ferguson serving as the eulogist; interment will follow at Willow Tree A.M.E. Church Cemetery.  The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.

The service will be livestreamed on the McCain Funeral Home & Cremations Facebook page and YouTube Channel; the links are found below:

McCain Funeral Home & Cremations Facebook Page:

https://www.facebook.com/mccainfuneralhome/

McCain Funeral Home & Cremations YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCu4qb7IT7sO-Kc0BRs05J-A