Vonnie Mae Gipson

Vonnie Gipson, age 82, of Teague, Texas passed away on January 14, 2023 in Dallas, TX. She was born March 1940 in Teague, Texas to Alfred and Geneva Porter, the oldest of four children. Her birth name was Verna Mae Porter, but she changed her name to Vonnie because she said there were enough Verna’s in the world. She graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in Teague, Texas. She then attended Los Angeles City College in 1958. This is where she met the love of her life, Marine Corps Private, Melvin O. Gipson. She loved the life of a military wife and enjoyed traveling with her husband. She encouraged her husband to rise to the rank of Major (O-4) in the Marine Corps. People often said her husband was the Major, but she was the “General”. They were a team. Vonnie Gipson inherited her aunt’s house that was built in 1907. They lovingly restored and decorated it with a collection of family photos discovered in the basement. She envisioned a Tea Parlor that would display our proud family legacy and allow people to come and enjoy one another’s company over a cup of tea and her famous “Tea Cakes”. In April 1998 “Lady Effie’s Tea Parlor” was born, and it epitomized class and grace. “Lady Effie’s Tea Parlor” was named after her great aunt Effie Miles, the former owner of the house. It was a beautiful and fascinating memorial to a long-gone era and a diverse and influential family. Vonnie showcased the beauty and resilience of our family in every square foot of the house. Five generations were displayed and honored in the tea parlor. It was about more than tea; it was about history and legacy. Every matriarch of the family had a room. Each room was filled with their legacies, graduations, births, marriages, military service, and life. She took much care to preserve and display these artifacts and pictures of the family that would have been forgotten forever if it had not been for her vision. She became the storyteller and the one who chose to memorialize our family history. She was a gracious host no matter what the occasion and made everyone feel welcome and comfortable. People near and far came to “Lady Effie’s” to experience the ambiance and history. For more information about Vonnie and Lady Effie’s Tea House visit https://youtu.be/bhwTKTA3n4U . She was a loving sister, devoted wife, extraordinary mother, selfless philanthropist, and an inspiring entrepreneur. A woman of many talents and gifts she was a social butterfly and loved to try her hand at new things. When she wasn’t making a home for her family, she filled her time tending to her child’s activities, doing charitable endeavors, and developing a love of cooking and entertaining. She was continually active in many charities during her life including Navy and Marine Corps Relief, American Legion, and various military organizations. Vonnie always exhibited exceptional artistic talent and this ability she pursued with passion her entire life. She sewed curtains, made quilts, immersed herself in the culture and art during her travels, made pottery and ran a ceramics studio on the military base. There was nothing she couldn’t do, and she did everything with tenacity and excellence. Vonnie is survived by her daughter (Sonia Gipson) and two sisters (Billie Watts, Betty Glasco), as well as several nieces and nephews. Her passing has dimmed all our lives by the loss of her vibrant smile, sparkling sense of humor, and vivid inner light. Viewing will be Wednesday, February 1st, at Evergreen Memorial Funeral Home, Dallas, TX. The Celebration of Life will be held at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, February 2nd, and will be laid to rest afterwards at Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery, Dallas, TX