Pauline Elizabeth Gumbs, 102, of Lebanon, PA, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026.
Born to Epoch T. and Rebecca Higginbotham (nee Watson) in Amherst, VA, on March 21, 1923, Pauline was formerly of Edison, NJ. She was a long-standing member of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Perth Amboy, NJ.
Pauline was predeceased by her husband, George Lionel Gumbs, in 2001, and her brothers, Epoch C. “Chief” Higginbotham and James “Hicky” Higginbotham.
She is survived by her daughters, Neise Gumbs (Laly), Dr. Monica Gumbs Bryant, and Margarita “Cissy” Gumbs; sons, Jazz and Curtis Gumbs; grandchild, Chenille Noriega (Arnold); great-grandchildren, Shae Noriega and Elijah Mongelli; nieces, Freda Thomas (Gary) and Joycelyn Alsup; nephews, Andra Higginbotham and James Ashley Higginbotham; great-nieces, Lisa Higginbotham Coleman (Gene) and Tiffany Higginbotham; great-nephews; Sean Gumbs (Jean) and Ian Alsup; and a host of extended family.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 188 Rector St., Perth Amboy, NJ 08861, followed by an 11 a.m. funeral liturgy. Private interment will take place at Rosehill Cemetery, Linden.
Local arrangements have been entrusted to Snyder Bean Funeral Home & Crematory, 890 Isabel Dr., Lebanon, PA 17042. In lieu of flowers, donations in Pauline’s name may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
