Dreamland Gibson

Dreamland Juanita Gibson was born on December 18, 1938, to the late Vivian (“Bus”) and Choice Wade in Morrow, Arkansas. Dreamland made her transition into eternal rest on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at her daughter’s home with loved ones at her side. She was 86.

Dreamland was the oldest of six siblings born to Bus and Choice. She had one sister, Valeria Wade Montgomery, and four brothers: Steve, Alvin, Gary, and Earl Wade.

Bus and Choice left Arkansas for Detroit in 1953 when Dreamland was 15 years old. As the oldest, Dreamland had the responsibility of caring for her younger siblings and working to help support the family. She gained experience by working in various roles as a seamstress, waitress, and in a hospital. Dreamland attended and graduated from Central High School in Detroit, MI, where she was a member of the swim team, played the piano and enjoyed drawing.

Dreamland met her eventual husband, Mack Gibson, while working as a waitress. He
repeatedly visited the restaurant because he loved her cooking. Mack and Dreamland married in 1963 and would have three children: Shidjwan, Edzra, and Meecal. Dreamland loved being a mother, which defined her identity above all else. She enjoyed cooking for the holidays, traveling, watching TV, decorating their home, and absolutely loved clothes shopping for herself and her children. For years, Dreamland would take her children and mother to their favorite shopping destinations—Somerset and Fairlane malls—on Monday evenings. Often, they were the last people to leave and had to be escorted out by mall security.

As a mother, Dreamland was equal parts nurturer and strict task master. She demanded that her children value their education, become good people, and love their family. These values propelled them to achieve professional and personal success: six degrees in higher education, awards in their respective industries, athletic recognition, and families of their own. Affectionately known as “Dewey” to her grandchildren, Dreamland loved spoiling and loving on them.

Dreamland worked as a cashier for the Kroger Company for over 35 years. Her
friendly and outspoken nature made her a local favorite at the Kroger store in Birmingham, MI. A newspaper article was written highlighting the impact she had on the community that shopped at that store. One of Dreamland’s favorite personal hobbies (outside of shopping) was talking on the phone with her mother, sister-in-law Willma Gibson, and her ‘second’ sister, Annie Harrell. For years they would laugh, fuss, discuss family business, and trade recipes.

Left to cherish the memory of Dreamland Gibson are her three children: Shidjwan Voiles of Rochester Hills, MI, Edzra Gibson and Andrenise Gibson (Daughter-in-law) of Marietta, GA, and Meecal and Kevin Kosal of Commerce Township, MI; two brothers, Gary Wade of Troy, MI and Alvin Wade of Pontiac, MI; five grandchildren: Liam Voiles, Avery Gibson, Elijah Gibson, Noah Kosal, and Lucas Kosal; sister-in-law Betty Guinn of Charlotte,NC; and a host of nephews, nieces, and friends.