Isabelle Gibson Ragland

     Isabelle Gibson Ragland was born in Sandy Ridge (Calhoun) in Lowndes County, Alabama on Sunday, March 22, 1931, to Roberta Goldsmith and Daniel Gibson. Isabelle had one sister, Nancy Gibson Taylor.

     Isabelle became a member of the Historic Ramah Church in Letohatchee, Alabama where many mass meetings during the Civil Rights Movement were held. She was active there from a very young age.

      Her school years were all spent in the Calhoun, Alabama school system. She played on the Varsity Basketball team every year in High School. Despite lacking a formal teaching degree, she was allowed to teach several elementary school grades before she graduated High School. Isabelle graduated with a diploma from Calhoun High School and after graduating she moved to Detroit, Michigan to live with her Aunt, Susie Wright.

     Isabelle met the love of her life Theodore Ragland at her aunt’s home in February 1950. Later, after a 6-month courtship they married at Mt Olive Baptist Church after services on Sunday, August 26, 1951, with the Reverend H.E. Owens officiating.

     To her blessed union with Theodore four children were born, Michael Anthony, Roderick Fabien, Theodora (Teddi) Lynnette, and Eric Bryan.

     Isabelle joined Mt Olive Baptist Church and continued her faithful membership under pastors H.E. Owens, Jack E. Ealy, Sr., whom were super preachers and later under Harold H. Cadwell Jr.            

     Isabelle was a member of the Music Ministry (Mass Choir, Women’s Choir) and active in many auxiliaries including the Culinary Department. She loved to cook and especially baking cakes, pies and bread pudding. The members loved her pastries as well.

     Isabelle always wanted four children and a home with a backyard. So, after sharing an apartment in Detroit and Highland Park, MI, with other couples along with Theodore, decided to do something about it. With two small boys she went to work alongside of her aunt Susie Wright at Palace Quality Laundry working the midnight shift while Theodore worked the day shift to accelerate the purchase of a home. She quickly advanced to a beloved supervisor. Both contributed to their savings and were able to quickly purchase their forever home. A home with a backyard for her children to play in. Her co-workers hated that she was quitting her job, but it was understood that she wanted to be a homemaker that properly raised her children.

     Isabelle participated fully in her children’s lives and made learning fun. Her sons Michael, the intellectual, and Roderick, the creative one, were involved with the Boy Scouts and The Boys Club where she joined ‘The Mothers Board’ to help coordinate events. Her daughter Theodora and son Eric were involved with instrumental and vocal music, and she attended many of their monotonous rehearsals and recitals. She watched with pride as Eric twirled the girls while mastering Square Dancing and helped Theodora dress in her gowns and prepare for her Cass Tech Harp and Vocal performances with care. Isabelle did all of this effortlessly while working outside of the home, raising her children (and husband) and keeping a meticulous home.   

      When Isabelle started employment as a Detroit Police Crossing Guard, it was an official unit of the department requiring her to be trained and have a badge just like the other officers. Isabelle loved and advised many of the children of Isabell Thirkell Elementary School and many have kept in touch after their school days were over. She was a dependable sight on 14^th Street and Euclid in rain, snow and heat for many decades until her retirement.

     Isabelle was a true lover of all sports, but especially basketball. (“Pistons all the way!”) Whenever she would attend the games at the Palace of Auburn Hills, other fans were amazed at how she could quote where most of the Pistons went to high school, their parents’ names, the colleges and types of foods they liked to eat. She quietly enjoyed the attention her knowledge of player stats gave her.

     Isabelle left this world peacefully at home on Friday, June 17, 2022, at 2:15am with her daughter Theodora Lynnette (Teddi) at her bedside. Her husband Theodore, son Roderick Fabian, sister Nancy Gibson Taylor and both of her parents, Roberta Goldsmith and Daniel Gibson preceded her in death.

     Isabelle Gibson Ragland leaves to treasure her many fond memories, her children, eldest son Michael Anthony (Tracy), only daughter ‘The Girl” Theodora Lynnette (Teddi), and youngest son Eric Bryan. Godson: Eddie Robert Flowers. Former Daughter-In-Law: Frankeeta Nivens Ragland. Grandchildren: Derrick Flanagan (Ragland), Erica Ragland, Randolph Sheard, Franklin Ragland, Angelica Ragland, Monya Ragland, Duncan Ragland, and Eric Bryan Ragland, Jr. My Great-Grandchildren: Jasmine and Genevieve.

     An aunt, Lucille Goldsmith (Moss Point, MS), cousins Lucille Wright (Calhoun, AL), Jimmy Mack Bibb (Hope Hull, AL), Niece Virginia Taylor (Calhoun, AL) and a host of other nieces, nephews and cousins. A most precious and super special God Brother Shadrack Thalbert Hare (Viola). “All these special friends of mine whom I dearly loved”:  Mary Baker, Mary Elizabeth and the entire Flower Family. “They are my family” Mary Williams, Altheria Newman, the whole original Mt Olive membership and most recently Jacalyn McGee (Sacramento, CA).