Eunice Diane Criswell Gibson-Sutton, a longtime Southern California resident, passed away on Nov. 17 at the age of 70. A registered nurse who worked at several local hospitals, she most recently served as director of nursing at Morningside Adult Daycare Center in Inglewood.
Eunice’s life was characterized by her commitment to serving others. Her actions reflected the lyrics of the gospel standard, ‘If I can help somebody as I travel along, my living shall not be in vain.”
A native of Little Rock, Arkansas, Eunice was born on February 20, 1952, to Volnie and Eula Criswell. She accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at a young age and applied her many God-given talents to excelling in her studies. Also, she served as president of the Economics Club and as a member of the Beta, French, and Science clubs at Horace Mann High School.
Following graduation, Eunice relocated to Los Angeles. She married Audric Gibson and started pursuing her dream to become a registered nurse. After receiving her Associate in Arts Degree in Nursing, at Southwest College and obtaining her California State Board of Registered Nurses license, she worked from 1990 to 1996 at King Drew Medical Center, Centinela Hospital, St. Francis Medical Center, and Metropolitan Hospice, Colby Care.
Now divorced, Eunice’s career blossomed as she explored opportunities for professional growth. In 1996, she was diagnosed with a devastating chronic respiratory disease that stopped her career and threatened her life. She underwent a double-lung transplant in 2002 and while experts predicted she would live another five years, God granted Eunice two more decades of life to fulfill her ministry of service.
Thankful to God for her renewed life, Eunice advocated proactive health practices to her clients at Morningside Adult Daycare Center. She also became a OneLegacy/Donate Life Ambassador and participated in many outreach events to promote the value of saving lives through organ and tissue donation in the African American community. During a presentation at a local church, she met and later married her husband, Ralph.
Cherishing Eunice’s rich legacy are her husband, Ralph D. Sutton; sister, Nita Van Criswell-Rufus; nieces, Yontra Rufus and Vasha Brent; nephews, LaDerrick McDaniel and DeShaun; stepson, Vincent (Myesha) Sutton; step-daughter, Cela D. Sutton; aunts, Dorothy Clipper, Patsy Smith, and Carolyn Ferguson; and a many other relatives and friends.
