Dorys Joyce Gibson

Dorys Joyce Gibson, was born on July 9, 1949 in Buffalo, NY to William Shelton, Sr. and Constance E. Shelton. She suddenly departed this life on Saturday, March 9, 2019.

Dorys was the youngest of four children and the only girl. The family later relocated to Pittsburgh, PA to reside in the suburb of Penn Hills. She attended Washington Elementary School, Penn Junior High, and Penn Hills High School. During her school years she was very athletic and paved the way as the first Black Penn Hills Cheerleader.

After graduation, Dorys moved back to Buffalo, NY, but soon decided to relocate back to Pittsburgh, PA where she reconnected with the love of her life Stanley Gibson and later married in a beautiful wedding amongst many family and friends on July 11, 1970 that would last for 48 years. From this union two beautiful athletic children; Angela and Vernon.

Dorys was baptized at an early age at Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Rankin, PA. She later joined St. James A.M.E Church in East Liberty, PA with her husband. Later on in the 2000’s she started attending Mt. Ararat Baptist Church in Pittsburgh, PA.

Dorys was a hard worker. One of her first jobs was at Children’s Palace in Monroeville, PA. She also worked for Carnegie Library in Oakland, PA and then helped with the opening of the Carnegie Libraries in Squirrel Hill and East Liberty. While she was working she was attending classes at University of Pittsburgh and then Robert Morris College. She was soon hired at Westinghouse R & D in Churchill, PA in the graphic arts department and shipping & receiving department. She served as a Union Steward for a couple of years. She played softball for the Westinghouse Female League in several positions and was a heavy hitter. She later retired from Westinghouse after 27 years of service. As part of the retirement package, Westinghouse gave her the opportunity to attend college. She then decided to return to college and earn her Associates Degree from CCAC in Monroeville, PA, Boyce Campus specializing in Teaching, in which she decided to concentrate in Special Education. Dorys was a straight “A” student earning her name on the Dean’s List each quarter. She was a member of the “Phi Theta Kappa’s”. She was hired by the Gateway School District in Monroeville, PA at Ramsey Elementary School and Early Learning Center. She taught Elementary Special Education for 7 years until her final retirement. To keep herself busy she worked various other part time jobs. She wrapped herself in her children’s activities, such as track, band, and football and cheered them on to the college level. She was very involved with Monroeville Midget Football and Soccer leagues and was a Gateway High School Band Parent and Concession Stand Parent.

Dorys was a beloved, dedicated, and devoted wife, mother, nana, aunt, cousin, and friend who had a good listening ear and who would tell it like it was, as she loved a good debate. She loved to read. She would read a 400-500 page book in one day. She had a passion for working out and lost 100 plus pounds by just working out and eating right. She also loved word puzzles, Sci-Fi movies and the “ID” channel, traveling, especially cruises, as she loved the beauty of the world. Dorys was the best travel partner to her husband Stanley. Also, her greatest joy was being a “Nana” to her grandchildren. They could do no wrong in her eyes.

She was preceded in death by her parents; William Shelton, Sr. and Constance E. Shelton, her brothers; William Shelton, Jr. and Robert Shelton. She leaves to cherish her memories and continue her legacy, her loving beloved husband Stanley Gibson, Daughter Angela R. Gibson McIntosh, Son Vernon S. Gibson, Brother, Raymond Shelton, Grandsons; Mason McIntosh and Miles McIntosh, Granddaughters; Corrina Coss and Imani Granger. Dorys had a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and many lifelong friends to remember her outgoing spirit to live on in the hearts and minds of all that graced her presence.

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