Elaine Gibbs Redmond

Elaine Gibbs Redmond of Beachwood, Ohio passed away peacefully at her home on August 25, 2023. She was born to Clarence and Leah Gibbs (Miller) in Cleveland and graduated from Collinwood High School.

An active child, Elaine’s parents introduced her to an excellent dance teacher, Viola Gensler from whom Elaine received instruction from 1940 through 1955. While still a teenager, Elaine began her own career as a dance instructor with the Patricia-Leah Dance Studio and Elaine Gibbs School of Dance. Elaine conducted classes at Cory Methodist Church and her own studios on Union Avenue in Cleveland and Scottsdale Avenue in Shaker Heights.  Elaine, known as “Miss Gibbs,” was the “go-to” teacher for hundreds African American students from all over the city of Cleveland, and she has left a vibrant legacy of dancers in and outside the Cleveland area. 

Elaine was also employed at the Performing Arts Department of the Phillis Wheatley Association, the Music School Settlement, the Division of Recreation of the Cleveland Board of Education and Karamu House.  She had a long career managing Cleveland’s Bureau of Cultural Arts. Elaine was also a member of the Philharmonic Glee Club.  Elaine was active on the Mayor’s Committee for Seniors in Shaker Heights and she was a committee member of Shaker’s Cultural Arts Program.

Raising three girls after a divorce, Elaine later married Arthur Redmond.

Elaine studied the Bible at a young age. Her uncle Joseph Miller was one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. April 8, 1958, Elaine symbolized her dedication to Jehovah through water baptism.

Elaine was predeceased by her parents, her sister, Beatrice Gibbs Neal; her brother, Clarence E. Gibbs; her husband, Arthur Redmond; and her grandson LeShawn D. Williams.  Elaine is survived by her sister, Mamie Lee Gibbs Crawford; her daughters, Patricia Leah Kendrick (John), Andrea Smith (Robert), and Denise Williams, Devon Woods (Arthur’s grandson), well as host of, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Also important in Elaine’s life were her friends and her spiritual family, her extended families, the Goldsteins and Friedmans.

A celebration of Elaine Redmond’s life is being planned for the Spring 2024.

Cards and expressions of condolence may be sent to Patricia & John Kendrick, 211 Basquin Dr., Chardon, Ohio 44024.

For those who would like to make a charitable contribution, please donate to the Alzheimer’s Association in memory of Elaine Redmond:

https://www.alz.org/cleveland?form=alz_donate

 Hundreds of children and teens studied with Elaine over her long dance instructor/mentor career – some students becoming professionals in the field.