Verna (Outlaw) Gibbs

Verna (Outlaw) Gibbs, aged 87, was born on April 5, 1938, in Greenville, North Carolina to David and Faye Helen Outlaw who were sharecroppers.

Verna helped her mother in the house with cooking, cleaning, and helping take care of her younger siblings. As she would say her daddy wouldn't let her out on the farm to help with the animals.

Verna attended and graduated from Bethel High School in North Carolina.

After school, Verna migrated to New Haven, Connecticut to help take care of a family member. This is where she started to make a life for herself and graduated from cosmetology school and became a hairdresser. Shortly after Verna married and gave birth to three beautiful daughters.

Verna served as a faithful church member at St Matthew's U.F.W.B Church, in which she was a Deacon and a part of many committees. She enjoyed driving the church bus and singing in the choir. Verna also worked at Job Corps and Parks Sausage in which she retired from. Verna spent her life loving and serving others but most of all serving her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Verna was predeceased by her parents David and Faye-Helen Outlaw; her daughter Alaina (Gibbs) Phillips; her husband Ernest Gibbs; sister Lois Howard; and brothers James Outlaw, Curtis Outlaw, and Dallas Outlaw.

She leaves to cherish her memory, children Laura (Anthony) Stewart and Tonya Gibbs; grandchildren Taylor Stewart, Dnaja Fleming, Micah Stewart and Brandyn Phillips; great granddaughter Alaina Jones; and her sisters : Darlene Outlaw, Georgia Henderson, and Shirley (Buster) Draper; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Verna will be deeply missed but forever remembered for the love, joy, and light she brought to everyone's life.

A celebrate of Verna’s life will be held on Saturday November 1, 2025 at St. Matthew’s Church, 400 Dixwell Avenue, New Haven, Connecticut. Viewing will take place from 10am to 11am, followed by the service at 11am. Condolences may be expressed at Colonialfunerals.com.