Marianne Howlett-Gibson

Ms. Marianne Howlett-Gibson, “Mary” passed away Friday, December 19, 2025, at University of Michigan Health Sparrow in Lansing, Michigan. Age 74 years. Born on Sunday, February 25, 1951, in Lansing, Michigan, Marianne was the third of twelve children of James Augusta Howlett and Betty Davenport-Howlett.

Marianne accepted Christ as her Savior at a young age. She was affiliated with Tabernacle of David Church and International Harvest Church. Marianne attended Lincoln Elementary, Main Street School, Sexton High School and received her High School Diploma from Lansing Adult Education. She studied Childcare Development at Lansing Community College. Marianne was employed for a short time at Fisher Body Plant after realizing that wasn’t a job for her. She was a loving and devoted mother, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin and friend. Marianne loved fashion, music, dancing, and singing karaoke with family and friends. She also enjoyed cooking while listening to music, singing and dancing. Marianne loved traveling and eating, especially if she didn’t have to cook it and she wouldn’t turn down a meal unless it was a piece of chocolate cake. Marianne was a fashion diva. She loved helping her mother care for younger brothers and sisters. She attended their schools plays, sport events, dressing them up for Halloween and planning birthday parties for them. You name it, she was there. Marianne carried on this tradition with her nieces and nephews. As Marianne would always say” I love nieces to pieces,” Marianne loved attending family gatherings, especially family reunions. She loved taking pictures and being in them. Marianne met and married the love of her life Veteran, Herman Gibson Jr., “Gip” in 1977. Through their union they had three sons, Donte Laurice, Antone Lamar and Ryan Linnell. “My three Sons,” as Marianne lovingly referred to them, was the apples of her eye and she loved them to pieces too. Marianne became a widow on Saturday, September 4, 1993. Marianne always desired to become a grandmother and now she will never have that chance.

She leaves to cherish her memory, her three sons, Donte Laurice Howlett-Gibson, Antone Lamar Howlett-Gibson and Ryan Linnell Gibson; 2 sisters, Jean L. Aikens and Annette M. Howlett-Hill; 2 brothers, James A. Howlett, and Thomas N. Watkins, Jr.; nieces, Robin Aikens-Smith, Monique Aikens, Miriam Howlett-McCloud, Lesley Rucker (John Sr.) Littlejohn, Tiara Halliburton, Ariel Pasley, Anisha Howlett, U.S. Navy Officer Keyuone Howlett, Kasci Howlett, Janasia Littlejohn, Kendra (Casey Sr.) Letek, Jessica Williams, Tomara Williams, Amanda Riddle, Ciara Riddle, and Breana Riddle; nephews, Andre Aikens, Thomas Rucker, Lawrence Hart-Howlett, Jerrod (Amanda) Howlett, Trae Howlett, Tyrone Howlett, Matthew Williams, Kenneth Gibson, Cedric (Karla) Lowe, Corey Lowe, Chris (Jennifer) Davenport; special nieces and nephews, Serenity Rucker, TaVyea Rucker-Muhammad, TajaNaye Rucker-Muhammad, Saraya Andrews, Marley Rucker, and John (JJ) Littlejohn Jr.; 2 aunts, Carol Howlett, of Quartz Hill, California and Rosie Watkins, of Aurora, Illinois; several cousins including special cousins, Charlotte Burr, Christine Brown, Lynn Burr, Mary Davenport, Mario Jackson, Sr., Rudolph “Ruddy” Griffin, Jr., Laura “Kay” Rhodes, Kirk Rhodes, and Butch Rhodes; sisters-in-law, Kimmie Howlett, of Tampa, Florida and Karen Gibson-Riddle; brothers-in-law, Leslie L. Rucker, of Port Huron, Michigan, and Kevin Gibson; many other relatives and friends including special friends, Patricia Taylor, Maelene Gentry, Demeetra Anderson, Lorraine Williams-Courent, Lameechiko Edwards, Teresa Manuel, and Steve Mosley.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Herman Gibson, Jr.; parents, James Augusta Howlett, Betty J. Howlett-Watkins, and stepfather, Thomas N. Watkins; grandparents, Mercer Davenport, Professor Strickland-Davenport-Kemp, William B. Kemp; great grandparents, Wiley Strickland and Dinah Strickland; siblings, Raymond Howlett, Yvonne Howlett, Arnold E. Howlett, John A. Howlett, Jerome M. Howlett, and Darlene B. Howlett-Williams; niece, Rebecca Williams; parents-in-law, Hermon and Evelyn (Dotson) Gibson; sisters-in-law, Ronda Gibson, Beverly Gibson-Williams, Beverly Poach- Howlett; and brothers-in-law, Andrew L. Aikens and Michael Gibson.