Mamie Theressa Gumbs

Mamie Theressa Gumbs was born to Etta Latimore Thompson and James Fred Thompson on June 24 in Forest City, NC. After graduating from high school, she studied nursing at Good Samaritan hospital in Charlotte, NC. From Charlotte, she moved to Washington DC to study education at Howard University.  After earning her Bachelor's degree, she moved to New York City where she taught nursing at Bellevue Hospital in New York City. She also served as an Executive Director of the Rainbow Nursery in Harlem, NY. 

 In time, she began teaching elementary and middle school in New York City's public school system and eventually became the social studies director of her school.  While teaching in the public school system, Mamie earned her Master of Science in Education from Bank Street College of Education.  

Mamie retired from teaching after thirty-one years and shortly thereafter pursued a degree in Museum Studies from New York University.  In 1995 she returned to Forest City, NC and opened and served as the Museum Director for The MaimyEtta Black Fine Arts Museum and Historical Society.  While serving as the Museum Director, in line with her lifelong love of knowledge, she earned a Doctorate of Christian Education. Mamie was a member of Delta Sigma Theta sorority. Mamie and her family enjoyed traveling and over her lifetime she visited five of the seven continents.

Mamie was predeceased by her husband, Dr. Earl Gumbs, and is survived by her daughter Etta, sister Doris, and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.
 

Services will be held at Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at 11:00am.