Obituary of Gabriel Haliburton

Gabriel Haliburton was born on June 15, 1943, in Perry, GA to the union of the Late Henry and Josie (Taylor) Haliburton. He was the second eldest of five children, Henry Jr, James, Diane, and Vanessa. The family relocated to Berlin NJ when Gabe was three and shortly thereafter moved to Albion NJ. On December 16, 2022, at Cooper Hospital with his wife at his side Gabriel took his last breath and went with the angels as they came to escort his spirit to Heaven to be with Jesus. “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 5:8) Gabriel attended Albion Elementary School up to eight grade. He attended Overbrook Regional High School in ninth grade. In tenth grade until graduation in June 1961, Gabe attended Edgewood Regional High School. As a teenager, Gabe and his brothers worked in the fields picking blueberries and other vegetables. They earned enough money to purchase their school clothes. He recalled working at an early age and was thankful he did not live in the south where picking cotton was the main job working in the fields. Gabe enlisted in the Navy on October 30, 1962. He was stationed in the Philippine Islands and San Diego, CA and was honorably discharged on October 27,1966. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal. He was also a lifetime member of the VFW Post 1616 Williamstown NJ. Gabe was baptized at an early age and attended Pentecostal Church of God In Christ in Philadelphia PA. with his family. He later became a member of Greater Calvary Baptist Church, in West Atco in the 1970’s. From 1980 until 1993 He was a member of St. Johns United Methodist Church in West Berlin, NJ. Gabe attended Grace Bible Institute Evening School from 1986 until 1989 and received a Diploma on May 30, 1989. Gabe was proud of the birth of his daughter, Gabrielle and loved to attend her musical events and hear her sing. He was also proud of her accomplishments. In the fall of 1994 Gabe visited Bethany Baptist Church in Somerdale NJ. It was while attending bible study and new members classes that he met Gwendolyn Holmes. On June 10, 1995, they were married. Gabe was ordained a Deacon on January 19, 1997, under the leadership of Bishop David G. Evans and enjoyed the bond of brotherhood that he had with the other deacons. He treasured going to nursing homes, hospitals, serving communion, and visiting with the sick and shut in. Gabe loved the Lord and loved serving God’s people in many capacities. He was delighted being the Chaplain and Greeter for the Hospitality Ministry for many years. Gabe was a Lifetime member of the NAACP and attended regular meetings with the East Camden County Branch. He also enjoyed supporting their annual events. Gabe was employed by Moyer Chicken factory in 1962. After being honorably discharged from the Navy in 1966, he had various jobs until he was employed by US Postal Service in May 1968 as a letter carrier. He worked in the Voorhees office until being transferred to the West Berlin Office. He worked for 39 years until retiring on July 1, 2007. Gabe loved to watch all sports on TV, and he loved attending soccer, basketball, and football games to see family members play. He was always eager to attend his grandson Jovan’s games. Gabe also loved attending family reunions with his wife and assisted her in hosting many events which included hosting the Axie Bowls Williams Lee Reunions in 1996 and 2005 in NJ, Land of Canaan Cemetery Annual Clean-up, Glassboro Reunion Association Annual Event from 2014 to 2019, and attending his own family Toomer reunions every 2 years from 1985 to 2022. No matter what work Gwen involved them in, he was a faithful and willing worker who never complained. He was always delightful seeing family members he had not seen in a while. He loved travelling and meeting new family members. Through the bereavement ministry, Gabe was Co- Owner of Holmes Haliburton Printing and Holmes Haliburton Productions. His contribution was invaluable and made it possible for Gwen to assist many people and work with many organizations, including the Glassboro Orchid Club (a federated local club of the National Association of Colored Women’s Clubs, Inc.), Glassboro Community Awareness, and Glassboro High School Sports Hall of Fame. He was predeceased by his parents Henry Sr. (1996) and Josie (1998), and two brothers, Henry Jr. (2008) and Jimmy (2018), and two special older cousins he faithfully called most Saturdays to check on them, Leila Myrick (2021) and Laura Mae Childs (2021). There were many that passed, too numerous to list. He attended as many services as he could until his health prohibited him from traveling. Gabe leaves to cherish his memories his wife of 27 years, Gwendolyn Haliburton; one daughter, Dr. Gabrielle (George) Adams; three stepchildren, Katricia, Bruce, and Kalisa Davis; seven grandchildren, Jovan, Chantel, Alvina (Bonthoeun), Crystal , Kamali, Jovelle and Jocelyn; Ten great grandchildren, Alyssa, Christian, Dariel, Elijah , Mathias, Carter, Mysiah, Ana, Laillabella, and Mulan; two sisters, Diane Haliburton and Vanessa Smith; special family and friends, William Van Hardison, Gregory Worthington, Edward Jordan, Jr., Ruben Negron, Gregory Johnson, Rev. Benjamin Mike, and Lester Chambers, all his Deacon brothers, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other family and friends.