Willie V. Gipson

Willie Viola Terrell Gipson affectionately known as Willie V. was born on September 23, 1932 in Madisonville, Texas to Grady Marshall Terrell and Etheline Annie (Tarrow) Terrell.  The family relocated to the west side of San Antonio, Texas when she was 7 years old.   At that time she met her very 1st best friend Mary Margaret Biaz and they remained best friends until the day the Lord called her home.  Willie V. attended school in San Antonio and graduated from Phillis Wheatley High School and then went on to graduate from St. Phillip’s College.

She met and married Clarence “Pancho” Gipson October 10, 1952.  To this union they were blessed to have 5 sons who were all her babies.  They were later blessed with the daughters she always wanted when her son Willie had twins Tiffany and Stephanie.  Tiffany passed away a month before their 10th birthday of cancer, but Willie V. and Pancho although separated continued to both raise Stephanie as their own daughter and treated her no different than the boys.

Willie V. accepted Jesus as her personal Lord & Savior at a very young age and began her 70 plus years as an usher at 7 years old in the United Methodist Church.  She remained in the Methodist Church until she joined Eastwood Baptist Church.  She had a love for music and since she was not a singer she held musicals and would have singers, musicians, and quartet members from all over come and take part in her musicals.  She would often pass notes to the pastor stating “someone” wanted to hear her twins sing. Tiffany & Stephanie always knew who the someone was.  Willie V. had a voice that you could hear from afar.  If she loved you she has most likely hit you or fussed at you at least once.  She was loud and had no problem “telling it like it is.”  She loved wearing hats and had a favorite black hat and a favorite red hat that she wore with everything even if it didn’t match.  Willie V. was a people person that never met a stranger.  She talked to everyone (and I mean everyone).

She was skilled in many areas and at the age of 14 she got her commercial chauffeurs license.  She’s probably the reason the law now requires seatbelts to be worn.  She also loved helping people and was a Nurses Aide/Medical Assistant for many years.  She was also a substitute at the daycare owned by the twin’s Godmother Brown’s Childcare as well as Ball Tabernacle AME Church daycare.  She also substituted in the San Antonio Independent School District where she was known to make appearances with a switch in hand.  She was a part of the ECISD & SAISD PTA.  She ran for office on the ECISD school board where her focus was starting an ROTC program after her oldest son transferred to Edison HS because East Central didn’t have an ROTC program.  Although she didn’t win the office, ECISD implemented an ROTC program the following year.  She was also a bus driver for the East Central ISD while her children attended school in the district.  She was an Uber driver before there was such a thing.  She remained loved by the students in Gardendale Community where she was recently recognized in March of this year.  Over the years Willie V. and Pancho ran a gas station, a jukejoint, and was active in numerous other business ventures in the Gardendale Community and throughout San Antonio including the ballpark when they later resided.  Willie V. loved traveling to show her family that there’s more out there to do and see.  If she knew you during her childhood or during her school days you became Aunt, Uncle, or cousin to her children.  She looked forward to seeing her family in Madisonville, Texas and her siblings.  Later in life she met her younger brother Lonnie “Bubba” Jones (who looks just like her).  She was glad to be able to meet him in person.  It was like they grew up together if you listened to them converse, and she loved his voice because he sounds just like her big brother Lorenzo.  One of her last requests was to be with her Madisonville family for Mother’s Day.  Well here we are celebrating early.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Pancho Gipson; parents, brother Lorenzo Terrell; sisters, Quincy Hardeman & Lovie Mae Yancy; son, W. H. Foxx Gipson and daughter, Tiffany Gipson.

She leaves to cherish her memory her sons: Clarence (Jeannie), Willie (Rose), Carl (Valerie), Earl (Linda). Daughter Stephanie (Chucky). Daughter in law Jackie Durst Gipson. Brother Lonnie (Dorothy). Grandchildren: Kelly, Jermaine, Kristine, Alyssa, Quintano, Javon, Chelsie, Chloie, Lynn, Tameka & Reginald, Freddie & Sara and a host of great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

In lieu of flowers the family would like donations to assist with the arrangements:
Cashapp: $Singinpint
Venmo: Singinpint
Zelle: SinginPintGipson@gmail.com
(or directly to Meadowlawn Memorial Park)