Sis. Debbie: ‘An agent for Jesus Christ’

Jamaican Olethia Nerissa McGibbon, affectionately called by her church sisters and brothers as “Sis. Debbie”, has not forgotten her Christian upbringing and her love for the Lord, seeing herself as “an agent for Jesus Christ.”

Stating that she has rededicated her life to follow Christ, Sis. Debbie, a former high school teacher in Jamaica, told Caribbean Life that she is an active member of Brooklyn’s By-Ways and Hedges Youth for Christ Ministry Church under the leadership of her compatriot, the Rev. Dr. Terry Lee.

She said she assists as the church administrator with the running of the church, its spiritual operations and community services.

“Community works can be seen in the annually events, such the White House Prayer for the Nation held each year on the White House Lawn in Washington, D.C.; the annually Unity Walk held in Brooklyn, which is designed to foster better communication with the NYPD (New York Police Department); and our Communities and the Brooklyn Salute, which honors our Brooklyn residents for their contribution to our Brooklyn communities in different areas,” Sis. Debbie said.

She hopes one day to take up missionary work in helping to spread the Gospel to others across the world and is currently pursuing studies at the Hope of Glory Bible College, Inc. to achieve that goal.

As a member of the Concerned Friends of Percy Junior Hospital Organization, Sis. Debbie said she helps with collecting and packing much-needed supplies and equipment for shipment to Jamaica each year, which are distributed to the Percy Junior Hospital and others hospitals in Jamaica.

She is also an active member of the Women Empowerment Ministry of the Community Concern Network Organization, which organizes several events throughout the year in Brooklyn and its surrounding communities, including senior citizen luncheon, immigration seminars, health counseling, healthcare provision and food pantry.

During the last 10 years, Sis. Debbie said she ventured into another career and attained an associate degree in mortuary science/funeral services from American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service.

She currently works at Caribe Funeral Home, on Utica Avenue in Brooklyn, as a New York State Licensed Funeral Director, “helping to serve families during their most vulnerable times of need.”

Sis. Debbie said her love for people and the community also “led” her to achieve an associate degree in human service/gerontology from LaGuardia Community College, City University of New York (CUNY) and a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the School of Professional Studies, CUNY.

In Jamaica, she said she taught at the St. Jago High and Spanish Town High schools “for years”, dedicating her “service and love to all the children who came across” her path, and would sponsor many children going back to school with uniforms, shoes, books and financial assistance.

After teaching, Sis. Debbie said she “decided to go into business,” managing several businesses with her husband, Lindel Ellis, in Spanish Town and Kingston.

She said she traded in goods from the United States, Panama, Haiti, Curacao and Venezuela, among other countries, adding that her famous lingerie store, ”Lingerie Plus,” was “the talk of the Spanish Town Bus Terminal Plaza for years, especially on Valentine’s Day.” She also operated L&D Auto Plus and the Upper Deck Sport Club.

But, after many years in the business industry, Sis. Debbie said she migrated to Brooklyn, becoming a certified nursing assistant and working at the Oxford Nursing Home for over five years.

“Living and working in the Brooklyn community for over 30 years has given me the opportunity to serve and has allowed me to have a strong belief in the community as one village, where everyone working together towards empowerment, unity and love can allow our communities to be better places for senior citizens and youths,” said Sis. Debbie, who wears many hats and provides a wide array of supportive social services. She also volunteers in assisting  the elderly and nursing homes patients.

Sis. Debbie – an avid reader of ancient history, who loves to discuss politics and world affairs, and loves to travel to other countries to meet different people – is still married to Evangelist Lindel Ellis. They have two sons and four grandchildren.