Sunrise: October 11, 1961, Sunset: August 05, 2026
Service: Saturday August 22, 2026 3:00 PM Mt. Sinai Baptist Church 902 W. 8th Street , Houston Texas 77007
Jacqueline Elaine Gipson (Willis) was born October 11, 1961, in Houston, Texas, to the late Margaret Jean Brown
(Willis) and Samuel Cain, Sr. She was the fourth of five children and the baby girl of the family. Jacqueline attended S.A. Pleasant Elementary, E.O. Smith Junior School, and graduated from Phillis Wheatley Senior
School, Class of 1980, where she participated on the debate team and sang in the school choir. She later earned an Associate Degree in Accounting from MTI.
Jacqueline enjoyed a long career in accounting, including 22 years with Reynolds Metals Aluminum, Co. After
continuing her work with several organizations and companies, she concluded her professional career with the Houston Independent School District in 2021.
Faith was the foundation of Jacqueline’s life. She accepted Christ at Olivet Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. N.T. Burks, Sr., where she faithfully served for 36 years. She worked in the youth ministry, served on the Usher Board, Captain of the Mountain Movers Drill Team, church choir, S.W.A.T. Ministry, Sunday School Teacher, Vacation Bible School Teacher, and the Church Bus Driver. In 1998, she joined Mt. Sinai Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor S.J. Gilbert II, where she remained a faithful member for 28 years. She continued serving through the Youth Ministry, Usher Board, Sisters in the Spirit, Praise Dance Ministry, and Building Relationships Ministry. Even while facing health challenges, Jacqueline continued writing and producing plays for the youth ministry of the Mountain Church until December of 2025.
Jacqueline truly loved the Lord and lived what she preached. Her favorite scripture was Proverbs 3:5–6: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 On December 12, 1998, Jacqueline married Earthell Bernard Gipson. She was the loving mother of Ceyitha CaVotta
“CeCe” Neal and Edwin Bernard Lewis, and a devoted grandmother to Ra’Vyn Gabriel, Ro’Byn Gabriel, Courtenay Neal, Jr., Carter Cash Neal, Samayah Lewis, and Edwin Lewis, Jr.
Jacqueline also shared a remarkable 55-year friendship with Tarrah Jones, her lifelong best friend and Ceyitha’s godmother. Their friendship endured through the many seasons of life, and Tarrah remained a loving and steadfast presence throughout Jacqueline’s health journey, offering her friendship, support, and care to Jacqueline and her family until the very end.
On August 5, 2026, at the age of 64, Jacqueline completed her earthly journey. After a life rooted in faith, family, service, and love, she leaves behind a legacy that will continue through the many lives she touched. Jacqueline was preceded in death by her parents, Margaret Jean Brown (Willis) and Samuel Cain, Sr. She leaves to cherish her memory her husband, Earthell Bernard Gipson; her daughter, Ceyitha CaVotta “CeCe” Neal (Courtenay Neal, Sr.); her son, Edwin Bernard Lewis; her siblings, Jevenia Russell, Anthony Willis, Sr., Janet Payne, and Jermaine Willis, Sr.; her grandchildren, Ra’Vyn Gabriel, Ro’Byn Gabriel, Courtenay Neal, Jr., Carter Cash Neal,
Samayah Lewis, and Edwin Lewis, Jr.; her lifelong best friend, Tarrah Jones; her godchildren Lawrence Guillory and Chasitity Powers and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family members, church family, and dear friends who loved her. She lived what she preached. She fought the good fight. She finished her course. She kept the faith. And now, she’s resting safe in the arms of the Lord.
You witnessed to people. You lived what you preached. And now the scripture you loved so much has become one I have to lean on: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.”- Proverbs 3:5-6 Because Mama, I don’t understand this. I don’t understand how the world keeps moving when mine feels like it stopped. But I trust God. And I know you would tell me to keep trusting Him too. I’m going to miss you for the rest of my life. There will never be another Jacqueline Elaine Gipson, and there will never be another woman on this earth who can occupy the place in my heart that belongs to my mother. But I promise you something. I’m going to keep going. I’m going to take care of myself. I’m going to keep loving our
family.
I’m going to keep raising Carter. I’m going to keep becoming the woman God is
calling me to be. And I’m going to do my best to carry forward the things you placed
inside of me-the faith, the strength, the fight, the compassion, the ability to serve, and
the determination to keep moving even when life gets hard.
There are things you asked me to do before you left, Mama. I haven’t forgotten. I’ll
carry them with me, and I’ll do my best to see them through. I hope I made you
proud. I hope somewhere in those final years, through all the appointments and
decisions and ordinary days at home, you understood that taking care of you wasn’t
simply something I had to do. It was my honor. You took care of me first. And when the seasons changed, God allowed me the privilege of taking care of you. Now I have to learn how to live in a
world where I can’t pick up the phone and hear your voice or walk into the room and
see your face. I don’t know how to do that yet.
So for now, I’m going to take it one day at a time. And when missing you gets too heavy, I’ll cry. When a memory makes me laugh, I’ll laugh. When I need to talk to you, I’ll write. And when my heart starts asking why, I’ll remember your scripture and trust God even when I don’t
understand. Rest now, Mama. You don’t have to fight anymore. No more appointments. No more
treatments. No more pain. No more tired body. You’ve finished your assignment.
And even though your baby girl wasn’t ready to let you go, I love you enough to say:
Rest, Mama. I’ve got it from here. Until God allows me to see you again, know that I
will carry you everywhere I go. You will always be my mama. And I will always be
your firstborn. I love you beyond this life.