Rev. Dr. Joanna L. Thompson Gabriel

THE JUBILANT LIFE JOURNEY OF REV. DR. JOANNA THOMPSON GABRIEL Written By Rev. Dr. Joanna Thompson and Robin Valecia Powers Rev. Dr. Joanna Gabriel was born October 8, 1945 to Frances Gabriel and Lafayette "Buster" Harris in Toledo, Ohio. She is an ordained Unity minister, spiritual counselor, chaplain, teacher, workshop facilitator, singer, and storyteller. A woman named Brooke Hampton, from some corner of the world wrote: I am pieces of all the places I have been, and the people I have loved. I've been stitched together by song lyrics, book quotes, adventure, late night conversations, moonlight, and the smell of coffee. When I read it, I said, "that's me". My soul is a witness to my evolutions, transformations, and the shaping and forming of who I am. I am a native of Toledo, Ohio from a family of singers and ministers. From an early age I have had a heart for poetry, dialogue, imaginings, and the gospel message through Word and Song. I have a "theology of song" in which I see song as a metaphor for life and proclaiming the good news as an expression of life. I would like to be remembered as a soul that has come to be a witness. I would like to be remembered as an enthusiastic encourager, a giver of unconditional love, and a zestful peacemaker. I believe that "a bell is not a bell until you ring it; a song is not a song until you sing it, and love is not love until you give it away." My life's work has been to unfold like a flower, radiate and ignite love in the hearts of many, many people so that love helps them live with zest and fullness. She was the first person to go to the Job Corps from Toledo in 1965. This achievement was written about in the Toledo Blade. Her ministerial education includes Postgraduate Studies in Theology at Saint Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, Missouri; Graduation and Ordination from Unity Urban Ministerial School, Detroit, Michigan and from Unity School of School of Religious Studies in Kansas City, Missouri. She also graduated and was ordained through the Barbara King School of Ministry in Atlanta, Georgia. Rev. Gabriel holds the Doctorate in Ministry from the Unity Urban Ministerial School in Detroit, Michigan, Bachelor's Degree in Religious Studies from Lourdes College in Sylvania, Ohio, and an Associate in Business Administration from Stautzenberger Business College in Toledo, Ohio. Over the years she has served ministries in Miami Gardens, Florida, Delray Beach, Florida, Toledo, Ohio, Albany, Georgia, Omaha, Nebraska, and Atlanta, Georgia. She has also served as a Prayer Ministry Associate at Silent Unity. Rev. Joanna has done extensive Clinical Pastoral Education in preparation to serve as a hospital and hospice chaplain. She recently retired from Vitas Innovative Hospice Care as Chaplain. She is the Co-founder of Global Harmony, a grassroots peace initiative that produces workshops, seminars, radio blogs; all to enlighten, educate, and dialogue on what it takes to live in global harmony. Global Harmony works to bring spirituality into active expression and to build interfaith/intercultural bridges to peace. Her honors and awards include Theological Honor Society, Lourdes College, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drum Major Award from the Black Catholic Coalition in Toledo for community service. Soroptomist International of the Palm Beaches: in recognition for outstanding work to improve the lives of women. The Rev. Dr. Ruth Mosley Award for Achievement in Urban Ministry from the Unity Urban Ministerial School, Detroit, Michigan Singing most of her life as a Soloist Rev. Dr. Joanna Gabriel sung in choirs in various churches I belonged to and in addition the following community groups: Franciscan Singers at Lourdes College - Toledo, Spectrum Woman's Group - Toledo, Voices of Joy - Toledo, Atlanta Philharmonic Chorale - Atlanta, Ebony Chorale of Palm Beaches - Florida, Thom J. Sessa Community Choir of Miami Beach - Florida and the Clarence Smith Community Chorus - Toledo. And I've sung at the 50th Anniversary of the United Nations in Kansas City, MO for Madeline Albright, then Ambassador to the United Nations in 1995. Rev. Joanna is the author of The Starpower Process: Surviving, Thriving, Arriving and Reviving By Following Your Inner Star, a self-reflective process journal to help readers get in touch with the "star" within. And Rewired: A Sankofa Healing Journey Moving Beyond Confusion to Peace in 2019 Rev. Joanna is a retired chaplain and pastor and makes her home once again in Toledo, Ohio. She is the eldest daughter of 14 children, Phil Harris, Donald Harris (deceased), Pearl Harris, Ruth Gracie, Lafayette Harris, Robin Duncan, Estelle Martin, Edward Harris, Gloria Harris, Pam Spates, Kenyon Early, Robert Wayne Casteel and Carmen Gabriel Watson. She is the mother of Robin Valecia Powers, Grandmother of Cierra Joelle Glasscho, and Great Grandmother of Chase Glasscho. On Tuesday September 21, 2021, this beautiful woman of love, faith, wisdom and joy exit stage left to sing in heavens choir, leaving a Jubilant Living Legacy across the globe. To all who crossed paths with her thank you for sharing in her light. Friends may visit at the Coyle Funeral Home, 1770 S Reynolds on Saturday, October 16 from 9:00- 12:00, with the Memorial Service beginning at 10:00 a.m. Interment is private. Donations to help with funeral expenses will be appreciated.

Tributes

Rev. Dr. Joanna L. Thompson Gabriel

October 8, 1945 - September 21, 2021